The English Review Desk
Professional ARC Reader & Independent Book Reviewer
Send me the book that makes reality disappear for a while.
I read selectively and independently, and my current reading world is built around escape: fantasy, romance, witchcraft, Wicca, occult and esoteric books, gothic stories, cozy bookish worlds, mythology, folklore, speculative fiction and books that make me want to stay inside them a little longer.
Editorial Possibilities
A review can become more than a star rating.
In-depth book review
A spoiler-conscious review published on LupeFarkas.com, with selected cross-posting to relevant reader platforms.
Reader discovery
Reviews are written to help the right reader understand why a book may belong on their own reading list.
Author conversation
Selected authors may be invited to the Imperfect Rebel podcast when the book opens a conversation worth continuing beyond the review.
Literary feature
A title may also inspire a reading list, author spotlight, thematic article or longer editorial feature.
What My Reviews Give Readers
Enough to know whether the door is worth opening.
I do not retell the entire plot and call it criticism. I focus on what it feels like to live inside the book for a while, what gives it its identity and which readers are most likely to enjoy the ride.
Spoiler-conscious discovery
Enough context to create curiosity without stealing the discoveries waiting inside the story.
Atmosphere & immersion
Attention to setting, mood, world-building, tension, romance, magic and the overall reading experience.
Voice, craft & characters
A reader-aware response to voice, pacing, structure, chemistry, character and the choices shaping the book.
The right reader match
Clear guidance about who may love the book and what kind of reading mood it belongs to.
What I Want to Read Now
Give me another world.
My current reading focus is escapist, imaginative, magical, romantic, strange and atmospheric. These are the books most likely to make me open the email immediately.
Witchcraft, Wicca & the occult
Fiction and nonfiction about witches, Wicca, traditional and folk magic, green witchcraft, herbalism, herbs and plant lore, spellcraft, rituals, pagan traditions, tarot, divination, astrology, spirit work, occult history and esoteric practice.
Fantasy · all of it
Dark fantasy, epic fantasy, high and low fantasy, urban fantasy, historical fantasy, paranormal fantasy, gothic fantasy, mythic fantasy, romantasy, cozy fantasy, portal fantasy, supernatural fantasy and the wonderfully impossible-to-categorise.
Romance · all of it
Dark romance, contemporary romance, historical romance, fantasy romance, paranormal romance, gothic romance, romantic suspense, small-town romance, second chance, enemies-to-lovers, slow burn, forbidden romance, spicy romance and unconventional love stories.
Cozy, bookish & magical
Bookshop fiction, bookshop romance, magical bookstores, libraries, cozy witchy stories, café settings, small-town magic, found family, whimsical romance and comforting supernatural fiction.
Asian authors & Asian stories
I am especially interested in books by Asian authors and stories rooted in Asian cultures, settings, mythology, folklore, spirituality, food, family, history, contemporary life, romance and diaspora.
Gothic, horror & paranormal
Gothic fiction, gothic horror, supernatural horror, occult horror, folk horror, haunted houses, ghosts, demons, vampires, witches, monsters and dark atmospheric stories for adult readers.
Science fiction & speculative worlds
Artificial intelligence, robots, alternative realities, dystopian worlds, strange futures, impossible ideas and speculative stories that take me somewhere reality cannot.
Mythology, folklore & old magic
Retellings, legends, deities, folk traditions, magical history, regional mythology, supernatural beliefs and stories built from old things that refuse to stay buried.
Italian & Portuguese books
Books written in Italian or Portuguese are welcome across all genres. Fiction, romance, fantasy, gothic, cozy, literary, historical, speculative, witchy and other genres are all considered. Biographies are outside my current reading focus.
Editorial Ecosystem
Start with the reviews.
The best way to understand whether your book belongs on my desk is to read the work already published. My longer reviews live on LupeFarkas.com, with selected coverage on Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram and the Imperfect Rebel podcast.
Read the Reviews
The archive shows the books I actually respond to.
A cozy bookshop romance, a witchy fantasy, a sarcastic combat android and dark romantic chaos can all live on the same review desk. The common thread is simple: I want a book with a world worth entering.
The Cozy Nook Bookshop
Bookshop romance, small-town warmth, found-family energy and exactly the kind of cozy escape I want more of.
Read the review →The Last O’Clery Witch
Witches, supernatural creatures, romance, humour and a continuing magical world.
Read the review →I’m a Weapon
Science fiction, artificial intelligence, a combat android with opinions and a world far away from ordinary reality.
Read the review →Dangerous Haven
Dark romance, morally grey chaos, protective energy and a very different kind of escape.
Read the review →Submission Process
Read the reviews. Check the fit. Then send the book.
Visit the review archive
Start with the published reviews and make sure your book feels at home beside the stories already on my desk.
Send a human pitch
Include the title, author, publication date, genre, synopsis, format, relevant content notes and why you think the book fits my current reading world.
Provide the book after acceptance
EPUB and Kindle-compatible digital editions are preferred. Audiobooks and physical editions are also considered.
Let the coverage breathe
Timing and additional coverage are agreed when possible. Thoughtful reading takes precedence over rushed content.
Review Standards
Clear boundaries make better submissions.
- No payment in exchange for a positive review
- No promised rating
- No spoilers without a clear warning
- Commercial partnerships remain separate from editorial opinion
- Books containing child abuse, exploitation or violence against children fall outside my review scope
- Current nonfiction focus: witchcraft, Wicca, herbalism and plant lore, folklore, mythology, occult and esoteric subjects
- Memoirs, autobiographies, inspirational life stories and general narrative nonfiction are outside my current reading focus
- Books unlikely to receive at least a respectful three-star review may be declined or left unreviewed
- Final editorial wording remains with Lupe Farkas
Before You Submit
Questions authors, publicists and publishers usually ask.
What genres are you looking for right now?
Fantasy, romance, witchcraft and occult books, Wicca and magical nonfiction, cozy and bookshop fiction, gothic and horror, paranormal stories, mythology, folklore, science fiction, speculative fiction, books by Asian authors and Asian-centered stories are all strong fits.
Do you accept nonfiction?
Yes, when it fits my current interests in witchcraft, Wicca, herbalism and plant lore, folklore, mythology, occult history, spiritual traditions or related esoteric subjects. Memoirs and general narrative nonfiction are not part of my current reading focus.
Are there content boundaries?
Yes. Books containing child abuse, exploitation or violence against children fall outside my review scope, including when those elements are used as backstory, recurring trauma or a central plot device.
Do you accept independently published books?
Yes. Independent authors, small presses, publicists and major publishers are all welcome to submit. Selection is based on the book and its fit with my current reading interests.
Is acceptance a guarantee of a positive review?
No. Acceptance means the book genuinely interests me and will be approached with care. My editorial opinion remains independent.
Which formats are accepted?
EPUB and Kindle-compatible digital editions are preferred. Audiobooks and physical editions may also be considered. PDF is accepted only when it suits the reading experience.
Can publishers propose several titles?
Yes. A concise seasonal catalogue or carefully chosen list is welcome. Please identify the strongest matches for fantasy, romance, witchcraft, cozy, gothic, Asian-centered, speculative or other current interests listed on this page.
Can I request a podcast interview?
You may express interest. Invitations are selective and are usually offered when the book or author opens a conversation that extends beyond a standard review.
How early should a time-sensitive release be submitted?
As early as possible. I keep a selective reading calendar and only confirm a publication window that allows enough time to read attentively. Include the release date and any genuine deadline in the first email.
Do authors pay for editorial reviews?
No. Honest editorial consideration and review ratings are not sold. Separate sponsorships or commercial partnerships may occasionally be available, but they remain independent from review selection, wording and rating.
For Authors · Publicists · Publishers
Before you pitch me, visit the review shelf.
Read a few reviews. If you can picture your book living naturally beside them, send me a concise, human pitch with the title, genre, synopsis, publication date, format, relevant content notes and why you think it fits.