Can’t wait for all these reads! I’m most excited for I feed her to the beast and the beast is me. This is a villain origin story that follows laure as she competes the cut throat world of ballet.

Going into this, I only had one of the books on my TBR list and I admit that I requested just to get a sneak peek at that book (Tricia Levenseller's Vengence of the Pirate Queen). That being said, several others have made it to my TBR.

Into the Bright Open is the first of the remix series that I'll be reading. I love the concept of the series. I haven't read the first two books in the series A Crown So Cursed is part of, but I'm curious enough now to add it to my list. This Dark Descnet has magical creatures and a competition, so things that usually have me on board for a series. Silence and Shadow is a sequel that doesn't seem to stand alone.

It was a fun walk through a lot of books in a short file. I love samplers like this!

Usually I really like the Fierce Reads samplers. I remain optimistic this is just an outlier. Such a glut of fantasy, and all the tropes are included. Could we see a female heroine who isn’t trying to save a kingdom? For the love of all that’s holy, fantasy writers need to do something new, surprise us. This is the same old, same old, A couple excerpts that prevented this from being a complete waste of time, I really like Jennifer Matthieu’s contribution, especially that the disaster itself isn’t the focus. Linda Cheng also had some potential because I did wonder what was going on.

Love these samplers because I get to get a taste of many different books before they come out so I can know what ones to add to my tbr. Keep making these please

This sampler was great to give you a really good idea of what the included stories are about. I liked reading through the selections and being able to get a feel for each author's writing. I'll definitely be getting some of these books when they're released.

There are a lot of exciting titles on this list! I can’t wait to read more of them! I already live the beginning of the secret garden remix!

I LOVED getting a sneak peek at some of Macmillan's most anticipated fall YA releases! I can already tell I'm going to love several of these stories. A huge thank you to the publishers and authors for giving me these book chapters.

If you're wondering whether you should request this sampler, the first thing I'll say is YES! It's a great way to learn about new books and decide whether you like an author's writing style/storyline. Also, with twelve books and genres ranging from fantasy, horror, historical fiction, and contemporary fiction, there's bound to be something for everyone. Here are some of my comments and favorite parts from each story.


I FEED HER TO THE BEAST AND THE BEAST IS ME by Jamison Shea: I'll be honest—this is one of my least favorite samples from the collection. It follows a young woman aspiring to be a ballerina amid a competitive and prejudiced dance academy. It can be hard to predict a story based on the first chapter, but this book isn't for me. There were way too many technical ballet terms, and I had trouble keeping the characters straight. We're introduced to over ten characters in the opening chapter, and frankly, I was glad I didn't have to continue reading this story. I can tell the author spent a lot of time on research, but if the rest of the book is anything like the sample, it isn't for me. 2.5/5 stars

INTO THE BRIGHT OPEN: A SECRET GARDEN REMIX by Cherie Dimaline: This was another story I struggled to get into. It doesn't seem to add much to the original book's plot, but I definitely felt myself becoming more invested by the end of the sample. I'd keep reading if I had the full story in front of me. 3/5 stars

A CROWN SO CURSED by L.L. McKinney: I was extremely confused during most of this book sample. The plotline is relatively clear—it follows several friends attending a cosplay event—but the characters kept referencing other events leading up to it. I looked it up and discovered this is the third book in a series. I'm not sure I can give a recommendation or valid opinion based on my unfamiliarity with the books leading up to this.

DOWN CAME THE RAIN by Jennifer Mathieu: I appreciate the author's decision to tackle tough topics like climate change and displacement, but this sample was another swing and a miss for me. The story follows a young girl starting her junior year of high school in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. While I didn't appreciate the MC's self-centered complaints and inability to consider how the situation affects others, I understand the need for character growth. I think she'll become a likable protagonist by the end of the story, and I applaud the author's decision to address challenging issues. 3/5 stars

THIS DARK DESCENT by Kalyn Josephson: This was another story sample where I disliked the main protagonist. It revolves around a girl competing in a deadly magical horse trial to free her father. The MC seemed arrogant, cocky, and unable to think through the long-term consequences of her actions. It didn't sit well with me. The main story idea also seemed weirdly similar to ASHLORDS by Scott Reintgen and THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater. The sample wasn't for me, but I know it'll find a receptive audience. 3/5 stars

THE CHANGING MAN by Tomi Oyemakinde: This sample edged into horror/suspense territory, and the change in genre was really refreshing! I also appreciate the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC representation. This is a story I'd consider reading, and I'll keep an eye on its release date. 3.5/5 stars

SILENCE AND SHADOW by Erin Beaty: I think I'm in love. This sample was SO GOOD. I tracked down the first book in this duology and read it within 24 hours. I may or may not have been up past 2 AM to finish it. I have no regrets. If I could recommend any book from this sampler, it'd be this one. The best way to describe it is Sherlock Holmes solving homicides in a fantasy setting. It has murder, magic, and the king of slow-burn romance readers dream about. Seriously, y'all need to read this duology because it WILL become your next big obsession! 5/5 stars

THE NIGHT HUNT by Alexandra Christo: This was another hidden gem in the sampler collection. I can't believe I hadn't heard of this upcoming release. I'm so glad I found it! The opening chapters follow an agent of chaos drinking the fear of a human. The trouble? She's caught by the Herald sent to collect the man's soul. I can already tell the book will have an enemies-to-lovers romance, and I'm here for it. 4/5 stars

AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Nadia Mikail: I liked the characters, plot, and rising tension, but this story isn't for me. It's more of a genre issue since I don't usually read meteor apocalypse stories. I do like the theme of reuniting with family and living life to the fullest. 3/5 stars

UNHOLY TERRORS by Lyndall Clipstone: This is one of my favorite samples from this collection. I love the original plot and the character's internal conflict about where she belongs and what to believe. As the only non-magical warden in a stronghold against vespertines, the MC struggles to feel accepted. There's also some family drama if the first chapters are anything to go by. The description also creates the potential for a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance. This book is now one of my most-anticipated fall releases, and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy! 4/5 stars.

GORGEOUS GRUESOME FACES by Linda Cheng: I feel like I don't know enough about this book to form an opinion. The ending seems predictable, but several other elements aren't clear yet. Do the main characters have magical powers or alchemical gifts? Are their families aware of it? What really happened before their friend committed suicide? The book sample does a great job of raising questions! 3/5 stars

VENGEANCE OF THE PIRATE QUEEN by Tricia Levenseller: I have to start by saying I've read every book this author has ever published. I was skeptical of this companion novel to her DAUGHTER OF THE PIRATE KING series (and even less a fan of its front cover), but the story is definitely intriguing. The next time I'm in the mood for a stabby pirate book, I'll know where to look! 4/5 stars

I'm really grateful for the opportunity to read these different book samples. There's definately a few new titles on my TBR list this fall!

So excited to get a first look at these titles. Thanks to the Publisher for the arc. A bunch of these are new to me.

The Fierce Reads Fall 2023 was excellent! I’m especially looking forward to reading I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me (Jamison Shea) and Unholy Terrors (Lyndall Clipstone). I have heard such good things about This Dark Descent (Kayln Josephson) and Vengeance of the Pirate Queen (Tricia Levenseller) and can’t wait to read them! I had not previously heard about Silence and Shadow (Erin Beaty) and Gorgeous Gruesome Faces (Linda Cheng), but I will definitely check them out. My TBR is looking very full for fall 2023 and I love that!!

Thank you so much to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and Netgalley for the opportunity to read the sampler in exchange for honest feedback.

Fierce Reads Fall 2023 Digital Sampler

I love these samplers! What a great way to get a taste of the upcoming releases. I always find something that I wouldn't pick up from the description but end up drawn in to the sample.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanChildrensPublishingGroup for this free #FierceReadsFall2023DigitalSampler. All opinions are my own.

So many exciting books to look forward to! Fierce Reads samplers are my favorite. I love being able to read excerpts from books I likely wouldn’t have otherwise picked on my own. Thank you NetGalley and Fierce Reads for the opportunity to get a sneak peek at these upcoming titles!

I enjoy reading these sample packs of books. It's fun to read through and find more books to add to my ever growing to-read list. One of the ones I'm most looking forward to is Vengeance of the Pirate Queen by Tricia Levenseller.

I really liked this sampler of the 2023 releases by Fierce Reads, this gives a few chapters of each book. They have quite a lineup I can't wait to dive into fully! The ones I'm most excited for are:
-A CROWN SO CURSED by L.L. McKinney
-SILENCE AND SHADOW by Erin Beaty
-THE NIGHT HUNT by Alexandra Christo
-VENGEANCE OF THE PIRATE QUEEN by Tricia Levenseller

Thank you to NetGalley and Fierce reads for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Great selection of fall titles! The two that stood out to me were A Crown So Cursed and This Dark Descent. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the sampler. These are all strong, female centric-titles that I'm sure will delight many of our readers.

So many great YA reads coming this fall from Macmillan!
I am particularly excited for:
- I Feed Her To The Beast and the Beast Is Me
- This Dark Descent
- Vengeance of the Pirate Queen

Thank you for the sneak peek!

Some great titles included in this sampler, I appreciate being able to read the first few chapters so that I can decide which ones I’d like to request when they become available.

The titles included in this sampler:

I FEED HER TO THE BEAST AND THE BEAST IS ME by Jamison Shea

INTO THE BRIGHT OPEN: A SECRET GARDEN REMIX by Cherie Dimaline

A CROWN SO CURSED by L.L. McKinney

DOWN CAME THE RAIN by Jennifer Mathieu

THIS DARK DESCENT by Kalyn Josephson

THE CHANGING MAN by Tomi Oyemakinde

SILENCE AND SHADOW by Erin Beaty

THE NIGHT HUNT by Alexandra Christo

AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Nadia Mikail

UNHOLY TERRORS by Lyndall Clipstone

GORGEOUS GRUESOME FACES by Linda Cheng

VENGEANCE OF THE PIRATE QUEEN by Tricia Levenseller

Thank you to the featured authors, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and NetGalley for providing this sampler for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5/5

I never really know how to rate these types of books overall, for I want to read some of these but not all of them. But the ones I did read, I really enjoyed them, and I can't wait for them to come out!

These samplers are great for getting a taste of the new books coming out and deciding which I want to dive into. As usual I had a pretty good idea already of which upcoming Fierce Reads books I was interested in, but this sampler piqued my interest in a few I'd not considered and sent a few I had been considering further down the list. There's just enough of each book (2-3 chapters) to get a handle on whether the story and/or writing style will work for me.