Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series

And here we go with another series review!

Book One:

So I told my 8yo I would buddy read this with him since I wanted him to get into the series because I thought it would be right up his alley.

Self-five because I was riigghhttt!!

He’s is now flying through book 3, and is LOVING it.
And then my 7yo didn’t want to be left out, and he finished the audiobook yesterday and is very sad our hold on book 2 isn’t ready yet.

I finished today and I can firmly say I get the hype and I’m excited for book 2. A sassy demigod, loyal friends, the cool universe of Greek mythology, and lots of monsters? We are so in.

My husband (who is now also reading these books) better catch up because we’re totally liable to leave him behind!

Book Two:

I’ve been in a reading slump, so it’s been so fun to buddy read this series with my 8yo & 7yo! Honestly, I totally get the hype. This series is fast-paced, the voice pops, the characters are so easy to root for, and the world-building is chef’s kiss.

My 8yo has already finished all 7 Percy-POV books, & honestly just ask for Percy Jackson merch & more Rick Riordan books for his birthday. Even my 7yo is halfway into book 3, so I’ve got to catch up! And I’m so looking forward to it! Middle grade perfection recommended for all!

Book Three:

Another great entry to the series with more intensity, higher stakes, and great character/plot progression. Chef’s kiss.

Book Four:

(4.5/5) Really liked everything about the labyrinth, Percy’s adventures, and Nico’s development in this one… but I feel like Annabeth got short-changed here. I really wanted to see her wisdom shine in the labyrinth, but instead her jealousy really defined her throughout this one. Honestly though, I’ve really enjoyed listening to these as I get back into running, and I’m excited to read book 5!

Book Five:

(4.25/5)

So this series was interesting, because even though Percy Jackson is 16 at the end of the series, this book stayed squarely in the MG territory (rather than skewing into YA), which, honestly, is perfect for my elementary-school kids who are reading it.

But for me, personally, I think it would’ve been cool to see a little more growth from Percy over the five years. (Please keep in mind though, I love me some YA, and I am not the target audience here.) In general, this felt like another solid entry in the Percy Jackson series and we definitely got resolution on the plot threads that have been stretching through the series, but somehow it didn’t feel as epic as I guess I was expecting after all the build-up. And (heads up, unpopular opinion coming in), the chemistry between Percy & Annabeth wasn’t there for me. Their relationship seems high in jealousy content, and in general, I wish Annabeth had gotten more development throughout.

Also, maybe it’s because I’ve been on a Percy Jackson binge, but the narration was bugging me in this book. Hermes & Persephone’s voices didn’t seem to fit, and the mispronunciation of Hera’s name was killing me.

Overall though, my 7yo & 8yo absolutely LOVED this series, and it was super cool to be able to buddy read it with them. I loved the fast-pace and Percy’s voice, and they kept me seriously entertained as I get back into jogging.

Honestly, Nico de Angelo may be my favorite character and apparently there’s a series about him? So totally stoked for that. My 8yo says I have to also read the next two books, so I’ll be getting into those as well, but I think I’ll at least try to read a couple other books first.

(Side note though, we did also watch the show as my family, and my kids weren’t super jazzed about it. They were very disappointed it wasn’t EXACTLY as the books described word for word, and personally, I thought the shows had a darker vibe than the show. But it’d be hard to match the awesomeness of the books.)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Chef’s Kiss. Worth the hype and a MG classic for a reason.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Author Life Update

So I usually try to include my writing updates in my bi-annual author newsletter (which you can sign up for here), but it’s been a while since I dropped one in the blog, and I’ve got a lot of irons in the fire, I figured I’d post a little recap.

As of this writing, I currently have ten books published.

The 5-book Odriel’s Heirs series is complete. Reading order: Odriel’s Heirs, Burning Shadows, Idriel’s Children, Night of Ash, Time’s Orphan. And honestly, I’m actively trying to step away from further investment in this series in the way of time or promotion. (It’s hard because I do love them so much, but I’m trying to look forward.) They’re all free to read somewhere, and Odriel’s Heirs pretty consistently lives in the top twenty of Amazon’s Free Teen & Young Adult Dark Fantasy ebooks and Teen & Young Adult Epic Fantasy ebooks. It’s downloaded regularly and has over Amazon 200 ratings with a 4.5 star average, so I’m pretty happy with that.

The Gatekeeper of Pericael remains as my only upper-middle-grade adventure, and again, I’m trying to actively step away from further investment. Also permafree, it still gets downloads on a weekly basis, and some reviews trickle in. An agent once told me, “You’ve written a beautiful book, but I have no idea how to market it,” and I completely agree with her. I love the creepy little monsterific book, but its target audience is strong middle grade readers who are looking for a good scare in their fantasy… which is a hard group to reach. As someone who was a horror-loving middle-schooler myself, I do absolutely love it though when it finds its way into the hands of the right reader. *So satisfying.* Strangely this “middle-school boy fantasy” is the only one I’ve sold out of at book signings, so that’s pretty cool too.

The 5-book Into the Churn series is also on the verge of completion. Reading order: Into the Churn, Into the Fire, A Churn in the Dark, Into the Abyss, A Churn in the (Virtual) Society. That last one now available for preorder and will release on September 16th. Since this is still a very new completed series, it’s currently the one I’m marketing most, and with Amazon ratings creeping up (184 now) I finally feel like it’s finding its audience. Overall, I’m super proud of this series, I can’t wait to hold that 5th book in my hands, and see what readers think of our last adventure in the Casolla system.

So where are we going here? Well, this year, my coauthor (E.P. Stavs) and signed a 2-book deal with Charlesbridge Publishing for Midnight Falls, our YA Paranormal Mystery (think of it as Gilmore Gils + Spirited Away + Addams Family.) But that won’t be coming out until Fall of 2027. Erin and I have two more Paranormal Adventures in that same universe—Borrowed Magic & Other Catastrophes (complete and with our agent) and A Witch’s Guide to Mischief and Moonlight (hoping to complete the first draft in June)—that we’re hoping to package together into a magical tourism series, but we’ll see how it goes.

But what about a 2026 release?! Well… I may have a little secret up my sleeve. It’s a little too early to say for sure, but I’m thinking my other Paranormal Mystery (think Veronica Mars + Bride + The Office) maybe be launching into the world in September 2026. The first draft is complete, but I’m still working on the first revision before I send it off to the powers that be. If all goes well, the official announcement will go out in October, and that will be part of a trilogy slated for 2026, 2027, & 2028 release. Fingers crossed!

But what about all of these other books you talk about? Indeed, dear reader, indeed. The traditional publishing pipeline is a long one with many ups and downs. My contemporary YA romcom, Inky & Heater IRL (think You Got Mail + Falling Into Your Smile), is technically on sub, along with my creepy YA Paranormal, The Ninth Circle (Stranger Things + Supernatural + Buffy), but we’ll be pivoting our energies to focus on my other WIPs ready to launch into the sub trenches.

Most notably, Codename: CNDRLA (Ever After + Mission Impossible) is the newest penguin to jump off the iceberg into the unpredictable waters of submission, and my agent (Kristen Terrette) and I are super excited for it!

Exit Seats (When Harry Met Sally + Fangirl) is next in line. And then I also have a *dark* NA Fantasy, House of the Chosen, (Gideon the Ninth + Phantasma) that I’m hoping to send my agent at the end of the summer.

And that’s basically the long and short of it. To sum up:
10 books published
1 book scheduled for September 2025 release
1 book planned for a September 2026 release
2 books planned for 2027 release
2 books planned for a 2028 release
3 books on sub
1 book with agent
2 books on route to my agent this summer

So where is my energy concentrated right now?
– Promoting the Into the Churn series
– Bagging that September 2026 contract
– Crossing my fingers SUPER hard for Codename: CNDRLA (like SUPER hard. It’s seriously one of my favorite book children)

Anyways, thanks for coming on the journey with me! And if you want to make sure you hear about my releases, remember to sign up for my newsletter or follow me on Amazon for notifications when I have another book published!

If you’re looking for ways to support me and enjoyed my books, ratings & reviews help a ton.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

ARC Review – Human Scars on Planet Skin

Whoa. I read this book in one sitting when I was exhausted and worn out with the world, and it was exactly the breath of fresh air I needed. Brimming with emotion, haunting in its symbolism, and unapologetically unique, this is the book I didn’t know I was looking for. Human Scars on Planet Skin meets you at the intersection of environmental devastation, overwhelming grief, and dogged restoration. It’s a story of the scars of both the world and those we carry with us. Of the things we cannot carry. Of our place in the balance of nature, life, death, and the other souls around us. Of the pain and process of healing, even in the face of unspeakable horror. Told through the eyes of a psychedelic mushroom and somehow comfortingly bizarre, this is a one-of-a-kind story for those looking for a visceral, heartfelt journey that takes you to the depths of despair while also highlighting the tenacity of hope in a lovable word that you can feel to your bones. Highly recommend.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I love a book that feels unique.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Time-Marked Warlock

Let’s see what did I like?
Everything

This one absolutely blew me away, and it is a book I will be recommending to literally everyone. Smart magic, fun characters, & a mystery to solve. Also, the narration was amazing. 10/10 will be recommending. Seriously, this was such an amazing find!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This one definitely needs more attention! Loved it!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – The Starlight Heir

Unfortunately, to be honest, I don’t know if I would’ve finished this one if I hadn’t gotten it from NetGalley.

What I liked:
– Persian & Indian-inspired mythology
– The book starts off like The Selection with a Hunger Games twist.
– While there’s obviously a book 2 planned, this book has a satisfying end that feels like a complete arc

What I didn’t like:
– Honestly, the main characters just fell flat for me. I felt like their personalities & the chemistry between them didn’t quite pop, and the spice/lustiness felt like it didn’t quite fit somehow — almost like it was added just so it could fit under the romantasy label.

– The Selection/Hunger Games set-up resolves surprisingly quickly (maybe at like the 25% mark) and from there, although l liked the idea of some of the developments, in general, it just felt like the plot dragged. (However that could’ve been because I was connecting to the characters)

All that to say, while this book wasn’t really for me, if you’re a romantasy fan who loves a strong side of mythology, it might be for you!

⭐⭐⭐½

Not really for me, but it could be for you!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Book Review – Performances of Death Metal Bard

I honestly didn’t think I would describe a story about a death metal bard as adorable, but here we are. Unexpectedly cozy, original, and metal in the best way. Cute characters, short and sweet, and definitely recommend if you’re looking for something different and fresh.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I love it when I find a book that’s such a fresh surprise!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Onyx Storm (The Empyrean #3)

Knee-jerk reaction on finishing: I feel like I just ate a rice cake. Don’t get me wrong— I like rice cakes, they’re just not super satisfying.

Ranking my enjoyment of this series:
1. Fourth Wing
2. Onyx Storm
3. Iron Flame

So I have a lot of thoughts, but to avoid all spoilers, I’ll try to be brief and vague

What I liked:
1. Violet, Xaden, and all the dragons

What I didn’t like:
1. Not enough meaningful plot progression.

I feel like if someone wanted to skip book 3 for some reason, I would sum up the plot in one sentence, have them read the last 1-2 chapters, and they would be all set for book 4. That said, if you love the characters (which I do), then you’ll be reasonably happy to go on this ride despite this. While the lack of plot progression left me feeling unsatisfied, I enjoyed the read, and anticipate reading book 4. Though I’m not like foaming at the mouth for it, and I don’t anticipate Onyx Storm being one of my favorite reads of the year.

In the end, if you’re a fan of the series, I think you’ll like this one too!

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

I mean, I’ll be reading the sequel, but I don’t think this one’s going to make my favorite series list. Kinda feel weird about it, no lie! The super hype is hard to deal with!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Zodiac Academy The Awakening

This was another one that I picked up at random from Libby on a road trip. It was my first “Graphic Audio” audiobook and honestly the production quality FLOORED me. With a full cast and sound effects, it really was like watching a movie in my head.

But the story… um. It was like Harry Potter, but with brutal fae who only respond to power & taking what they want, with a really unhealthy frat culture, twisted bullying, and two girls who (knowingly) make very awful decisions about trusting the people who are legit torturing them because they’re super hot.

So this one wasn’t for me, but I’ll *definitely* be picking up more audiobooks by Graphic Audio.

Big mixed feelings on this story, but Graphic Audio was definitely cool.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Knight’s Bride

This book was such a fun surprise!

What I liked:
– Cozy Romantasy Vibes
– Likable protagonists
– Fabulous Audiobook Narration
– Magical forest hijinks
– In general, just a sweet fun story
– Nice tension throughout. I honestly found myself worrying (in a good way) if it would have a satisfying ending or if I’d have to wait for the sequel.

What I didn’t like
– The pacing of the last 25% or so didn’t quite fit for me. In some ways, it feels like they’re having the same communication for a little too long.

Recommended for those looking for a fun romantasy with likable protagonists and a pinch of spice. And I’m totally game for book 2!

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Why yes, I’ll take a cute romance any day of the week, please and thanks.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Character Artist Recommendations for Authors

Okay, so this is the post I needed in my life as a budding author in 2019. I have always loved art since I was a kid, and now, as an author, I adore seeing books brought to life through character art, and use character art heavily when promoting my books. But when I first started out, I had no idea who to message about character art.

Over the years, as I admired other authors’ commissioned pieces, got recommendations from authors, and commissioned different artists myself, I began to gather quite a few art pieces of my books that I adored as well as a list of artists I enjoyed working with. I’m always on the look out for new artists and fresh styles, because I love to see how different people with different perspectives can bring to life characters in different ways.

And yes, I only work with human artists and likewise, human authors. In case you haven’t seen my thoughts on generative AI, you can find them in the graphic below.

So in part, this is an artist appreciation post for the artists who I’ve worked with over the years, and it’s also a resource for those other authors out there looking for (human) artists to commission. Without further ado, the guide is below! All handles are from Instagram unless otherwise noted.