Review: Strange Familiars

Strange Familiars Strange Familiars by Keshe Chow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Strange Familiars drops you into a dark academia terrarium. It's humid with magic, buzzing with tension, and full of creatures who are enchanting, and yet, a little bit feral.

Gwendolynne is a focused magical veterinary student whose built her life on being the best. That is until, her rival becomes impossible to ignore. This story blends whimsy and uneasy, leaving a pulse of danger underneath. Unstable magic ripples through town, familiars go a bit wild, and the institutions meant to protect, feel compromised.

The delicious tension, cozy fantasy vibes, wrapped around something darker, stranger, and more urgent. The banter feels like people who've spent years pretending they don't care, only to find, they care too much. The familiars add so much heart. Gwen's cat familiar steals the scenes with dry humor and chaotic vibes.

This book had a romantasy with teeth feeling; it was equally as cozy as it was mysterious, and satisfying. For anyone who loves the magical academia vibes, but in a more grown up, messy, and longing way, this is the one. If you wish your childhood books filled with magical schools had a bit ore depth, danger, and yearning, this will not disappoint. It's the perfect read to curl up with; especially if you want to sit there side eying your own cats wondering what they might be up to.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the pleasure of reading an ARC copy. This review is my honest opinion.

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