Maureen Fergus

(Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review through Library Thing's Early Reviewers program.)

Weenie is just your average, run-of-the-mill wiener dog: he can fly, breathe underwater, and move objects with his mind. Oh, and he loves to eat. Specifically, piping hot meatloaf freshly prepared by his human, Bob. Along with his siblings Frank (tragically born a cat) and Beans (an adorably floofy guinea pig), Weenie engages in all sorts of shenanigans. Like - you guessed it - show more plotting a meatloaf heist.

I'll be honest, the one and only reason I requested this title from Library Thing's Early Reviewers giveaway is because I used to be owned by a dachshund named Ralphie. Though he never stole a meatloaf, he did run off with my wallet once. Anyway, I'm so glad I won, because MAD ABOUT MEATLOAF is just the most adorable thing ever. The story is engaging and imaginative (wild meatloaf, anyone?), and the art is delightful.

My only caveat: kids, never let your dog friend eat meatloaf, since it probably contains onions, and onions are a no-no for nonhumans. Also, vegan meatloaf exists, and it is divine. show less

If you're looking for a book that throws you headfirst into an epic, emotional, and sometimes downright wild adventure, Odyssey by M.L. Fergus is a solid pick. From the first few pages, it’s clear Fergus isn’t here to waste time with slow burns—this story hits the ground running and rarely lets up.

The main character is one of those rare narrators who feels both larger-than-life and incredibly relatable. Whether they’re navigating literal storms or the messier emotional ones, you find show more yourself rooting for them hard. The world-building is detailed but not overwhelming, and there’s this constant sense of movement—of chasing something just out of reach—that gives the whole book a kind of breathless energy.

What I especially loved was the balance between action and introspection. Sure, there are battles, twists, and unexpected turns, but Fergus also makes space for quiet moments, where characters wrestle with purpose, identity, and legacy. Those scenes hit just as hard as the more adrenaline-filled ones.

If I had one small gripe, it's that a couple side characters could’ve used more development—but honestly, that’s only because I wanted more of them.

Overall, Odyssey is one of those reads that sticks with you after the last page. It’s intense, a little gritty, and deeply human. If you're into character-driven stories wrapped in epic stakes, this one’s worth diving into. show less

I absolutely love romantasy and I am so happy to say that this book is RIGHT up my alley! Where to start ... so many things about the The Fractured Kingdom series is beautiful: the gorgeous cover, the lovely prose, and the delish AND dangerous scenes our characters find themselves in. Book 3 opens with a loud bang, with breakneck pacing and enough angst to knock you off your feet. I found the relatively short chapters worked really well in Destiny, especially with Persephone and Azriel show more separated from the very beginning. Speaking of which, it was a surprisingly heavy scene to begin with, and I was literally yelling when I saw the protective Azriel lose it after leaving Persephone in the opening act!!

I said this before but I need to emphasize it: M.L. Fergus really has a beautiful way with words. The descriptive prose really sucks you into the fantastical worldbuilding and is super immersive. There was also a good balance between the action and the romance too, and it was very good romance: I had to put my book down every time a smexy kiss caught me off guard!

I don't have physical copies of book 1 and 2 but I really hope I can nab them one day, like I said before, this entire series is just GORGEOUS! It's a trilogy that did NOT disappoint! show less

(Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review through Library Thing's Early Reviewers program.)

Weenie the wiener dog lives a rather cushy life with his besties, Frank the cat and Beans the guinea pig, and their human Bob. That is, until Weenie's supremacy is challenged by the arrival of a newcomer - namely, Sweetie Pie, a long-haired dachshund who belongs to Bob's sister. Tired of being upstaged, Weenie shoots Sweetie Pie out of a cannon. Yet even when lost in the 'burbs, show more Sweetie Pie somehow manages to upstage Weenie. Can the two come to a truce, or are they destined to be mortal enemies forever?

The third entry in the WEENIE FEATURING FRANK AND BEANS series doesn't hit quite as hard as the previous two. (Just as a refresher, I'm a 47-year-old childfree woman who first picked up this series because I was once owned by a rescue dachshund named Ralphie. RIP, my little pooh bear.) I think maybe Sweetie Pie's dubious origins rubbed me the wrong way: on the back cover, Sweetie is described as "way more adoptable" than Frank, though it certainly sounds as though Bernice purchased him from a breeder (e.g., he's described as being a "prizewinning show dog"). Considering how many dogs and cats are killed due to a lack of a home, anything that even hints of intentional breeding is a hard pass from me.

Otherwise, the artwork is as cute as ever, and Weenie, Frank, and Beans make quite the lovable trio. show less