You’ve seen your favorite celebrities go on Hot Ones and almost die (or hardly break a sweat) and now you get to experience it Inky Phoenix Style! Vote below on when Susan and I should go LIVE on Zoom with our full set of Hot Ones hot sauces as we talk all things WAYWARD SOULS.

SICKOS! What are ya up to this week?! It was a somewhat slow reading week for me but I've still got a buncha updates one what I've been working on with books, shows and games, so let's boogie.

READING

REVIEW

GAMES WITHOUT RULES: THE OFTEN INTERRUPTED HISTORY OF AFGHANISTAN by TAMIM ANSARY (narrative historical nonfiction)

Progress: 127/350

Only got to two chapters of this and we're now firmly in the 20th century with Amanullah attempting to transform and modernize Afghanistan. How does that work out for him? Let's find out this week, hopefully (probably not great though as Ch 14 is titled "Things Fall Apart").

THE RED WINTER by CAMERON SULLIVAN (historical fantasy)

Progress: 354/531

Took a solid chunk out of the Fiction Sickos April selection, and aside from some minor gripes this is hitting pretty well. This is the type of horror, blended with historical fantasy, that appeals to me and would likely appeal to fans of Christopher Buehlman (especially if you love Between Two Fires and/or The Blacktongue Thief).

TOKYO UENO STATION by YU MIRI (contemporary literature, fiction)

Progress: 120/180

This is a ghost sotry about a man who was basically invisible his entire life, including to his own family. Not mind-blowing so far but solid execution and hits some bleak notes well. I'm straight eyeball reading this and their are some parts where you pick up the conversations of nearby folk (not unlike The Spear Cuts Through Water) so I'd warn against doing this as audio only as I'm sure that would be confusing and difficult to track, but I could be wrong.

PREVIEW

Finishing the books I'm working on is the secondary focus, the main being continuing to read through some manuscripts submitted to our publishing imprint. There is one that I'm really enjoying and I plan on reading at least 100 pages more of that today. Hopefully it can stick the landing as it's a serious contender for a potential second acquisition. I wish I could say more but I gotta keep all that under wraps for now but stay tuned! Also I may continue on with more Berserk if I need a manga fix.

WATCHING

REVIEW

SUCCESSION - HBO MAX

Progress: Finished

Almost as satisfying as the first time, one of my faves.

FRIEREN - CRUNCHYROLL

Progress: S1E16

Took down four eps of this throughout the week and I'm continually impressed by how it's able to deliver payoffs in a variety of ways. Of the recent stretch I'd say episodes 10 and 14(!) were the high points and it seems we're moving onto a new arc now. Will continue slow burning the slow burn.

PEAKY BLINDERS - NETFLIX

Progress: S2E5

Only took down one ep of this because I prioritized author things so not much new to report here. Has anybody seen the new movie? The reviews seem solid enough but I'd appreciate some (spoiler-free) thoughts from ya if you've seen it.

GAME OF THRONES - HBO

Progress: S3E4

The Red Wedding After Party forum in Discord is up an running and re-watching this has me itching to re-read the series.

GAMING
Didn't game much at all last week other than playing 99 Nights in the Forest with the wee emperor but I do plan on continuing Assassins Creed: Valhalla.

OTHER RANDOM STUFF
Got a hand tattoo of a Fallout "mini nuke" on Friday that is still nice and angry today but the swelling is starting to subside. Thrilled with how it came out and it will look even better once it fully heals. In the pic the yellow/orange colors look a little muddied because of bruising/plasma/bleeding but that's no surprise with the beating it took. The swelling also makes the nuke head look wavy but that's all good now. Also, I would not recommend sitting 5 hours for a hand tattoo. The first few hours are tolerable but the further you get from the center the rougher it gets and it turns the last two hours into pure God-seeing hell.

That unfortunately means I have to put a hold on climbing until probably Saturday, which is a shame because I started f'n around on a V5 and came crazy close on the finishing move multiple times. I will likely need a low intensity session to feel right before trying to send it again another day and I just hope it's not reset in that span because it would be my first V5.

Now that I've read this one I feel like I vaguely remember it. I learned a lot about bees! Here are some books involving bees to get buzzing.

Meat Bees by Dane Erbach

Small Favors by Erin A Craig

The Honeys by Ryan La Sala

The Nest by Kenneth Oppel

The Homing by John Saul

🐉🔥New Book Club Kit Drop: Firebird by Juliette Cross!

The dragons have landed and this might be our most EPIC kit yet

Attention, The First Editions fam 👀✨

Our brand new book club kit for Firebird by Juliette Cross is officially LIVE and trust me, you’re going to want this one.

If you’ve been craving a book club experience filled with dragon shifters, forbidden romance, and rebellion-level chaos, we absolutely delivered. This kit was inspired by everything we loved about Firebird: the tension, the passion, the high-stakes drama and turned into a fully immersive night you won’t forget.

🏛️What’s Inside the Firebird Book Club Kit?

We went ALL OUT for this one. Inside, you’ll find:

🔥A deep-dive discussion guide to unpack every twist, betrayal, and swoony moment
🍷 A fully themed Roman-inspired menu yes, recipes included!
🐉Our fan-favorite Claim Your Dragon quiz + activity
⚔️An interactive Empire vs. Rebellion debate game
🎭Creative activities to bring the story to life
🎁Themed door prize ideas to level up your meeting

This isn’t just a book club, it's an experience!

✨Why You NEED This Kit

Whether you’re hosting your own book club or just want to elevate your reading experience, this kit makes it effortless and honestly, way more fun!

Think:

• Laughing over dramatic readings

• Debating impossible choices

• Discovering your inner dragon🐉

• And fully embracing the chaos of this unforgettable story

📚Ready to Dive In?

👉 Tap the link to access your kit now and start planning your ultimate Firebird book club night! https://tinyurl.com/25p33zkv 

🔥Before you go…Are you claiming your dragon or burning down the empire? 👀

🐉🔥Firebird Book Review + Exclusive Book Club Kit 🔥🐉

Why Roman history is better with dragons, rebellion, and a whole lot of tension

If you ever thought Roman history needed a glow-up let me introduce you to Firebird by Juliette Cross because WOW. This book didn’t just deliver, it absolutely consumed our entire book club.

The Page Ladies Book Club just finished this one, and let’s just say we are officially obsessed. If you love a conqueror vs. captive romance set in an alternate Rome where generals shift into dragons, then go ahead and make this your new personality.

🏛️The Drama

We follow Julian Dakkia, a Roman general caught in the grip of his ruthless, power-hungry emperor uncle. He’s built a reputation as a brutal conqueror but everything shifts the moment Malina reappears in his life.

Malina, a fierce Dacian witch and dancer, has haunted Julian for years. And when he shifts into his dragon form to save her on a battlefield soaked in blood and betrayal? Yeah that’s not just a bold move that’s a death sentence waiting to happen.

The tension? IMMEDIATE. The stakes? SKY HIGH.

🔥Why We’re Screaming

The Bond:
Julian and his dragon are fully in agreement Malina is theirs. And the way their connection feels so instinctive, so soul-deep? It’s electric in a way that had all of us completely hooked.

The Stakes:
This isn’t just romance it’s rebellion, war, and survival. Watching them navigate imperial politics while literal flying deathriders rain destruction from the sky had us on the edge of our seats the entire time.

The Vibe:
Dark, gritty, and emotionally intense with a romance that burns just as fiercely as the dragons. Malina is a powerhouse heroine who refuses to be broken, and Julian? The kind of hero who would absolutely burn down his own empire for the woman he loves.

✨Final Thoughts

This book gave us everything high-stakes fantasy, an addictive romance, and characters we couldn’t stop talking about long after we finished. It’s the kind of story that demands discussion, which is exactly why it made the perfect book club pick.

📚Want the FULL Firebird Book Club Experience?

If you loved this review and want to recreate the ultimate immersive book club night, you need access to our exclusive Firebird Book Club Kit complete with:

• In-depth discussion questions

• A fully themed Roman-inspired menu 🍷

• Interactive activities including our fan-favorite Claim Your Dragon quiz🐉

• Debate games + printable materials

• Themed decor ideas & door prizes

✨ You can get it all by joining The First Editions where we share exclusive kits, special edition book content yes, including sprayed edges, and all things bookish for our community.

🔥Bookish Question: Would you risk everything, your power, your loyalty, your life for a love that could destroy an empire? 👀

Happy Saturday, mis internet amigxs,

I had a lot to say on Friday when I reviewed Now I Surrender on Friday, so today's opening will be relatively short. Reminder that we'll be chatting with Alvaro Enrigue on Monday night in lieu of the first hour of sprints. The link to join is here.

We're currently reading The House of the Spirits this month and it's not too late to join us on Discord ahead of the Amazon Prime series premier on April 29th. I have some news regarding the book that I cannot wait to tell you....

But for now, on to this week's Latine releases...

ROMANCE

How To Fake A Southern Gentleman by Mayra Cuevas and Marie Marquardt (Audiobook) Contemporary rom-com retelling of My Fair Lady taking place within the halls of a southern

More Like Enemigas by Stephanie Hope (Audiobook) Queer romance debut--heartfelt sapphic rivals to lovers romance with wedding hijinx, family secrets, and tons of spark featuring Cuban representation

PICTURE BOOK

Lucia's Goals by Angela Quezada Padron and illustrated by Christina Barragan Forshay: bilingual picture book about a young girl who's determined to prove everyone wrong that says girls aren't supposed to play soccer. Just in time for World Cup fever.

POETRY

Against Breaking: On The Power Of Poetry by Ada Limon (Audiobook) a timely and beautiful reflection from the 24th poet laureate of the United States, Limon, about the healing power of poetry.

Visitations by Julia Alvarez (Audiobook) Great Dominican writer, Alvarez, returns to her great love, poetry, to examine everything from her childhood to her later, "silver" years.

xoxo,

Carmen

A spring reset across every genre

There’s something about April that makes me want to read everything.

Not in a chaotic way, but in a “windows open, iced coffee in hand, stack of books that match every possible mood” kind of way.

This month’s Inner Circle Shelf is built for that exact energy: a mix of fresh 2025 releases and backlist gems that feel like stepping into a new season.

Think: soft starts, sharp twists, a little magic, a little mess, and stories that remind you why you love reading in the first place.

🌷 If you want something soft, romantic, and full of feeling

• Funny Story by Emily Henry (2024, but still dominating spring reading lists)

• The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

• The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center (2024/2025 buzz carryover)

• Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren (backlist favorite)

Why this works for April:
These are your “read outside with a blanket” books. Emotional, hopeful, a little bittersweet, but ultimately grounding. If winter felt heavy, these are your reset.

🌿 If you want cozy magic + whimsical worlds

• The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

• The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst

• Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

• Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

Why this works for April:
Low-stakes magic, cottagecore vibes, and stories that feel like wandering through a garden you didn’t know existed. This is your “slow down” stack.

🌼 If you want something a little darker (but still bingeable)

• None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

• The Teacher by Freida McFadden

• A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham

• The Only One Left by Riley Sager

Why this works for April:
Because sometimes spring isn’t soft; it’s unsettling. These are your “just one more chapter” reads that pull you out of a slump fast.

🌸 If you want literary fiction that makes you feel something

• Real Americans by Rachel Khong

• This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum

• The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead

• Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Why this works for April:
These are your “sit with it after you finish” books. Character-driven, layered, and the kind of stories that stay with you longer than you expect.

🌱 If you want fantasy with momentum (but not overwhelming)

• A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

• The Will of the Many by James Islington

• One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

Why this works for April:
You’re coming out of winter reads but maybe not ready for a 1,000-page epic. These give you plot, tension, and payoff without losing momentum.

☀️ Final Thoughts

This month’s shelf is about range without overwhelm.

You don’t need to commit to one mood; you can move between them. Start your morning with something soft, switch to something twisty at night, and keep a little magic nearby just in case.

If March felt like survival mode, April is where we start enjoying reading again.