Book Tour: A Great and Powerful Tyranny by Victoria Carbol

A Great and Powerful Tyranny

by

Victoria Carbol

YA Romance

Publisher: Page Street YA

Publishing Date: June 23, 2026

Page count: 400 pages

SYNOPSIS:

Perfect for fans of Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince, this dark, queer reimagining of the classic Wizard of Oz tale centers a slow-burn, sapphic enemies to lovers romance in an electrifying portal fantasy.

Falling into a world of magic and oppression, Kansas-born Thia joins three cursed companions in a quest to free them and send herself home.

Orphaned from a young age, Thia has spent her life trying to live up to her mother’s legacy as a doctor. She’s on track to become a promising medical student, yet she feels like she was meant for something else. The life she thought she knew comes crashing down one stormy Kansas day when Thia inadvertently uncovers clues that reveal her grandma has been lying to her: Her mother was never a doctor; she was a scholar of the supernatural, and all she left behind was a strange mirror that Thia’s grandma is convinced is dangerous.

Angry with her grandma for her deception, Thia leaves in a rage and accidentally falls through the mirror, killing a witch and crashing into a terrifying land ruled by the cruel and powerful Mage King.

Joined by a heartless girl, a cowardly academic, and a boy who cannot remember his past, Thia seeks out the Mage King, the only man powerful enough to send her home and grant her companions’ desires. In their quest, Thia discovers her mother was a part of the rebellion to overthrow the Mage King, and she must reckon with her mother’s real legacy. With each new truth revealed, it becomes harder to ignore the undeniable connection between Thia and the cursed, heartless girl, and even harder to decide where, in the end, Thia ultimately belongs.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Victoria Carbol is a writer of books and composer of cinematic pop and fantasy soundtracks. She also may or may not be an actual cave troll. When not actively loathing sunlight, she can be found creating fictional worlds full of monsters and magic and singing her icy heart out.

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June 24th
Drunk On Pop – Top 5 Reasons to Read A Great and Powerful Tyranny
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The Book Dutchesses – Promotional Post

June 25th
Bookcrushin – Book Look
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June 26th
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June 27th
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June 28th
Betwixt The Sheets – Promotional Post
Paiges of Novels – 15 Reactions While Reading A Great and Powerful Tyranny

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Book Review: Until the Clock Strikes Midnight by Alechia Dow

Until the Clock Strikes Midnight by Alechia Dow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Teamwork makes the Happily Ever After dream work!

Until the Clock Strikes Midnight by Alechia Dow is an enchanting young adult romantasy that reimagines the Cinderella fairytale and combines it with an enemies-to-lovers trope. Newly graduated as the head of her class from the Mortal Outcome Academy, young fairy Darling Sparkleton is given her first assignment to guide Mortal, Lucy Addlesberg, onto the path to her HAPPY EVER AFTER, with the added incentive that, if she is successful, she will win a much-coveted mentorship with the ruling board, the Mortal Outcome Committee. What Darling doesn’t realize is that Calamity, a celestial Misfortune and another recent graduate of the academy, has been given the same opportunity. However, his success means he must guide Lucy away from the risky path to an HEA and make a safer choice that would result in an ORDINARY EVER AFTER, without her one true love.

This book had such a fun plot, with an absolutely delightful main couple: Darling and Calamity (or Calam, for short). Darling is all glitter and light and sweetness, while Calam is her opposite. Competitors for the same life-changing prize, they have entirely different missions until they discover they really want the same outcome. Their gradual understanding of the nature of mortals, free will and self-determination, love, and each other, as well as their slow-burn, inevitable, sweet romance, make for a wonderfully layered tale.

The story moves at a fast pace, and I found it hard to find a good stopping point in the narrative without being loath to put the book down and take a break. The banter between Darling and Calam sparkled from more than fairy dust, and I laughed out loud in several places. I loved Darling’s interventions to improve the lot of the entire village of Fulham, especially her solution for the toxic Mrs. Arconia, who used her local status and means to make people, including Lucy, miserable.

However, the story isn’t all froth and fun. Both Darling and Calam face tough personal struggles. While Calam’s success means he can finally escape a lifetime of criticism and disapproval from his cold, emotionally-aggressive father, Darling suffers from the highs and lows of Vacillating Disorder, where negativity and self-doubt can send her into a frightening downward spiral of self-hate; both issues have real-life parallels.

This Cinderella story has a number of twists on the original, and I found it entertaining, hard to put down, and so very, very satisfying when I reached the last page. I recommend UNTIL THE CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT to readers of young adult romantasies, young adult fantasy coming-of-age stories, and fairytale reimaginings.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through Toppling Stacks Tours.


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Book Review: Close Enough to Burn by Daniela R. Morassutti

Close Enough to Burn by Daniela R. Morassutti
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Engaging character-driven young adult story of personal ambition, determination, and maturing romance.

Close Enough to Burn by Daniela R. Morassutti is an engaging, character-driven young adult story of personal ambition, determination, and the singular focus to achieve one’s dreams. At the same time, a sweet childhood attraction grows into mature adult love, all set in the exciting world of formula car racing. A sister and a brother, along with their two lifelong friends, compete against each other at the entry level of the California F4 racing circuit, hoping to attract sponsors and an invitation to one of the European F3 training teams. But as they focus on achieving their goals, romantic entanglements threaten to derail one racer’s dream.

High school junior Isabella Rossi has wanted to be a Formula One racer like her father since her race against her brother and their friend, Marco. That desire has kept her on course ever since. She has also secretly longed to be more than just a friend to Marco. While never articulating her romantic yearning, her best friend and fellow racer, Matias, probably knows, as he seems to understand Isabella better than she does herself. However, Marco has always had his eyes on his future in racing and had a relationship with another girl, until the tension between him and Isabella became too great to ignore. When the smoldering feelings between Marco and Isabella finally ignite, their romance is sweet but fast-burning.

Morassutti’s young adult characters are intensely motivated, whether it is for racing success or, as in Matias’s case, acceptance into the college of his dreams: Caltech. However, Matias is more balanced and patient in his pursuits than either Marco or Isabella. The three main characters are able to analyze their feelings and actions well enough to follow up after conflicts appropriately; in fact, they are better at it than most adults. As a result, the story progresses with just the right amount of tension and angst without becoming bogged down in overly lengthy drama.

The story is more novella-length than novel, so the plot moves quickly. The racing scenes were thrilling and well-choreographed, especially the final Las Vegas race. I did encounter a little confusion at the beginning of the story when the characters were being introduced and their relationships established due to mixed up pronouns (i.e., Rocco is referred to as “his brother” rather than “her’ brother) and later when the name Matias is used when Marco was actually correct. Perhaps, this was an unconscious projection of Matias always being there for Isabella rather than Marco.

With its engaging, reflective young characters and unique formula racing setting, I recommend CLOSE ENOUGH TO BURN to readers of young adult fiction, especially those who enjoy stories of romance or have an interest in racecar driving.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.


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Book Tour & Giveaway: Insight (Insight, #1) by Jamie Magee

She’s marked by stars, hunted by shadows—
and destined for a love that spans worlds.

Insight

Insight Series Book 1

by Jamie Magee

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

"Spellbinding lyrically crafted fantasy series." Sarah Dodd

 

"Magic, action, and paranormal romance offer an escapism that will engross readers—the story stays with you, unforgettable." - M. Mass

Cursed with an empathic insight, Willow Haywood has lived her life as a proud introvert in a small town. Her world shatters when a nightmare brands her wrist with a star. The foreboding omen forces her family to unveil ancient secrets that bend the boundaries of reality, dreams, and dimensions.

In the chaos of this revelation, Willow focuses on the good dreams she had every night of her life. Her instinct promised her that the angel in them was real, that he was her soul mate, and together they would be an unbeatable force in the promised war of young gods.

The conflicted path to him was easier to face than the mystery, magic, and danger haunting the shadows of the cosmic storms on the horizon. With or without him… her nightmare would soon be her reality if she did not flee to the dimension her soul once roamed.

Guided by love, tormented by fear, and hunted by those who would twist her gifts for their sinister ends, Willow’s journey is one of self-discovery, sacrifice, and the relentless pull of destiny.

Insight is a spellbinding tale of love, prophecy, and the courage to find your true self. Perfect for fans of young adult fantasy and multidimensional adventures, it’s an unforgettable story that will stay with you long after the last page.

Are you ready to step into the storm? The journey begins here. 

"We lost ourselves in the teen angst of Fallen, and Hush, Hush. We found courage in the pages of Hunger Games and Divergent. Our imagination was on fire inside of Mortal Instruments, Throne of Glass, and The Red Queen. And now we have the compelling, enigmatic, character-driven thrill ride of the long-reaching contemporary fantasy series INSIGHT." Colleen Riley

 

**Get it FREE!! **

Amazon * Apple Books * B&N * Kobo * BookBub * Goodreads

Jamie Magee is not your average author—she’s also an astrologer and the host of Scheduling Fate, a podcast where insight meets inspiration. With over 22 published novels spanning Young Adult, New Adult, and Contemporary genres, Jamie has captivated readers with stories that stir the heart and awaken the soul.

Her passion for storytelling is matched by her love of astrology. Whether she’s guiding you through fictional dimensions or decoding the deeper meaning of life’s turning points, Jamie helps her audience align with purpose, embrace their own rhythm, and schedule fate with intention.

Website * Facebook * X (Twitter) 

Instagram * Bluesky * BookBub

Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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$10 Amazon giftcard 

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Borrow My Heart by Kasie West

Borrow My Heart by Kasie West
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Appealing characters and lively interwoven plots made for compelling reading.

Wren Brady was in the coffee shop where her best friend, Kamala, worked as a barista when two cute guys came in. One had his phone out, filming the other and baiting him about meeting an online crush at the shop for a first date: he did not believe the girl actually existed and that his friend had been catfished. As the jokey taunting continued and the girl in question failed to arrive, Wren felt sorry for the apparent dupe. She impulsively decided to introduce herself as the no-show Gemma, with the intention of privately confessing her masquerade to the boy later and “breaking up.” But before she can gracefully admit her ploy, she starts to feel that she may want to get to know, for real, the lanky, appealing Asher, who surprisingly gives the best hugs ever.

Borrow My Heart is a wonderful new contemporary young adult romance that touches both the heart and the funny bone. The situation Wren puts herself in will strike a chord with the tender-hearted, the save-the-dayers, animal lovers, and social media users. Wren and Asher are a cute couple, each complementing the other while providing the warmth and support each one needs until a big misstep derails their journey to a HEA.

Wren is a sympathetic character who’s been hurt in the past and erected some big boundaries around her heart, spelled out by the “Rules for Dating” that head each new chapter. She has a best friend in Kamala, who really knows and understands why she is the way she is, and is a stable and safe voice of reason and support.

Two additional compelling storylines are woven into the main plot and hooked me: Wren and Asher’s mission to find the dog, Bean, a forever home, and Wren’s relationship with her mother and sister, Zoey. The couple’s efforts to market Bean’s desirability for adoption were creative and filled with fun and surprises. Though hopeful at the outset, Wren and Zoey’s visit with their mother at the Lake Tahoe commune proved to be a reality check. Unfortunately, both secondary storylines mirror circumstances that can be seen daily in real life, and the plots may resonate with many readers. Thankfully, there are some HEAs in the offing by the book’s end.

With its engaging characters and lively plot, I recommend BORROW MY HEART to readers who enjoy contemporary young adult romantic fiction.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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