Was I at all interested in reading about a Ponzie scheme? No, and ya know what? Mandel made it fascinating, and I give her major props. Wonderfully meWas I at all interested in reading about a Ponzie scheme? No, and ya know what? Mandel made it fascinating, and I give her major props. Wonderfully melancholic and achingly honest. ...more
This was such a special book. I adored pretty much everything about it, and I would love for Makiia Lucier to write more books set in this world. I loThis was such a special book. I adored pretty much everything about it, and I would love for Makiia Lucier to write more books set in this world. I loved it!!
“What I want more than anything else in the world is to feel like being myself isn't something that should be hidden and a secret. What I want is f4.5
“What I want more than anything else in the world is to feel like being myself isn't something that should be hidden and a secret. What I want is for my parents to be outraged that someone betrayed me, not ashamed of my identity.”
...
Oh, how I adored Adiba Jaigirdar's debut novel.
Nishat is a 16 year-old Bengali girl living in Ireland. She loves her family, and doesn't want to lose them, but she also doesn't want to hide who she is anymore. So, Nishat comes out to her family as a lesbian, and they...don't take it very well. Things get even more complicated when an old primary school friend, Flávia (a beautiful, biracial Brazilian girl), returns to town, and Nishat develops a huge crush. When the two of them are pitted against each other in a school-wide business competition, and Flávia decides to open a rival Henna business to Nishat's, Nishat feels rightfully betrayed. On top of her family's icy silence, Nishat must also deal with her culture being appropriated for profit.
What follows is a heartbreaking, lovely story about prejudice, racism, cultural appropriation, and acceptance. I'm still astonished that this was Adiba Jaigirdar's debut!
Nishat not only has to deal with her parents not understanding her identity; she's also bullied at school because she's one of the few POC at her all girls catholic school. Even Nishat's friends don't understand the anger she feels over Flávia's use of Henna as a hobby; her culture is made fun of by her classmates, but since white girls in Nishat's class possess the privilege to pick and choose things from Nishat's Bengali culture they deem trendy, they can profit off what they choose. The injustice of it is a sad truth that filled me with vicious rage. Honestly, I wanted to deck pretty much every single one of Nishat's classmates.
The only person in Nishat's lane for the entirety of the book is Priti, Nishat's little sister. Their sibling relationship was absolutely wonderful, and it brought me to tears several times. Jaigirdar truly understands the unique, tender, oftentimes frustrating, and beautiful bond of sisterhood all too well.
“I love you, Apujan,” she whispers. “And I’m so damn proud of you. I hope you know that.”
*sniffles*
Nishat's journey throughout The Henna Wars is a rough one; she has to deal with so much, and I was so angry and heartbroken for her. It's been a while since I've connected so deeply with a YA protagonist, and Nishat has nestled into my heart and continues to stay there. There's nothing worse than feeling like you can't be yourself, and her parents' icy response to her coming out is a sad reality for many queer teens. Nishat loves so many things about her Bengali culture and religion, but she knows that it's also the reason why her family won't accept her for who she is. Nishat doesn't feel like she belongs in Ireland, or even her homeland. It shattered my heart.
“Of course Muslims can be gay. How can anyone think otherwise? The two aren't mutually exclusive. I am the living, breathing proof.”
The romance was delightful, the familial dynamics were honest and lovely, the prose was beautiful, and the ending made me so incandescently happy. This is by far and away my favorite sapphic contemporary I've ever read, and if you haven't picked up The Henna Wars, do yourself a favor and read it. It's a standout of 2021 for me.
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“It doesn’t seem like much. But sometimes just being yourself—really, truly yourself—can be the most difficult thing to be.”...more
“We are in the hands of Goddesses and madmen, Sarah Dewhurst.”
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Dragons are really cool. I'm a sucker for them. So, of course I was excited to“We are in the hands of Goddesses and madmen, Sarah Dewhurst.”
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Dragons are really cool. I'm a sucker for them. So, of course I was excited to read Patrick Ness' newest dragon fantasy book!
Burn is a creative, vibrant work of dragon fantasy. Set in an alternate 1956 in Washington state, dragons have coexisted with humanity for millennia. Sarah Dewhurst, a Black biracial girl who's recently lost her mother, lives on a farm that is on the cusp of financial ruin. To save their farm, Sarah's father hires a dragon to work the fields. This dragon, however, comes bearing a prophecy. A prophecy that involves an assassin, dragon worshippers, two FBI agents, and Sarah Dewhurst, herself.
If that premise doesn't sell you, I don't know what will.
Whenever I pick up a book by Patrick Ness, I'm always prepared for a unique story. Burn didn't disappoint. On paper, this story shouldn't really work, but Ness succeeded in bringing humanity to this out-there, fantastical story with his stellar writing and brilliant character work. I also adored the blend of genres (historical fiction and fantasy are a match made in heaven for me), and Ness' take on dragons was especially fascinating. Kazimir, the dragon that Sarah's father hires to work on the farm, is an intimidating, unexpectedly witty character that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Sarah was a particularly great main character to root for, and one of my favorite elements of this book was her relationship with her father. I was deeply touched by the father-daughter bonds portrayed in this book, and how central they were to the wider story. It brought so much soul to this charming, strange tale of dragons and mythical prophecies. Kazimir was also one of my favorite characters, and his developing friendship with Sarah was undeniably sweet. I wasn't expecting to love their friendship so much!
“I'm just a girl.”
“It is tragic how well you have been taught to say that with sadness rather than triumph.”
The supporting cast was also great, and the main antagonist had more layers than I was expecting. The other villain, Deputy Kelby, was a despicable, vile bigot, and the realism of his character made me hate him all the more.
With a creative, explosive storyline, and charming, deeply human characters, Burn should definitely be on your list if you love dragon fantasy. I highly enjoyed it.
[It should be noted that Patrick Ness is a white, male author, and he wrote from the perspective of a young Black girl. I've read multiple reviews from Black book bloggers and reviewers claiming the representation was good, but I'd keep that in mind while reading. I cannot accurately comment on the representation.]
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“Faith is belief without proof,” Malcom said. “It's a leap, an act of bravery. If I had proof, I would have no reason to Believe. I can't tell you how many times I've reaped benefit of that faith.”...more
“There are some things that can't be changed with words. Some things have to be seen. They have to be felt.”
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Sometimes, I just need a book to di4.5
“There are some things that can't be changed with words. Some things have to be seen. They have to be felt.”
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Sometimes, I just need a book to distract me from the woes of everyday life. And sometimes, I have an often insatiable craving for a good hate-to-love romance.
Serpent & Dove definitely scratched that itch.
Louise Le Blanc fled her coven two years before the beginning of this book, and has since taken refuge in the city of Cesarine. There, she steals to live and constantly evades the clutches of the Church. In this world, witches like Lou are hunted and burned, and Reid Diggory, our other main character, is a witch hunter. His life is the Church, but a chaotic evening at the theater thrusts Lou and Reid together in holy matrimony.
Yep. Lou and Reid are forced into marriage, they both despise each other, and Reid has no idea Lou is a witch.
Listen: I know this book isn't perfect. It's not high literature, and it's certainly full of tropes and clichés. But. BUT.
I enjoyed the hell out of this book, and was so surprised, so enthralled, so addicted to this story that I could barely put it down. I was immediately sucked in by Lou, who is feisty, hilarious, and doesn't play by the sexist, hate-filled rules imposed by the Church. I enjoyed her playful personality, and was surprised by the amount of depth beneath her brazen exterior. Lou was an easy main character to root for, and it's been a while since a debut YA fantasy had a lead that I liked so much.
All of the characters were great, actually. Seriously, I loved everyone. Reid had serious anger issues but he worked on improving himself throughout this book, and was a very sweet and supportive husband to Lou. Coco was a badass bitch and I really hope we see more of her in the sequel. Ansel was my absolute FAVORITE. He's such a sweet soft boy and MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS. Even Madame Labelle, who seems like an antagonist at the beginning of this story, was way more nuanced and interesting than I was expecting.
Seriously, Serpent & Dove was full of some wonderful surprises. The plot went in directions I wasn't expecting, and despite me going into this for just the romance, I found myself very invested in the story and the characters.
However, the romance is the central focus of this story, so know that going in. Usually, I prefer romantic subplots to full on romances, but this? I actually really, really liked it.
First of all: Reid and Lou have some amazing chemistry. He's rule-abiding and reserved. She's loud and rebellious. Their personalities clash in the beginning, only to find that they have more in common than they realized. It's all great. The banter, the tension, the unwanted feelings and eventual trust that forms between them felt organic and earned. The respect and eventual love they have for each other made me feel a lot of things, and I was so invested in their relationship.
Also, Reid calling Lou a heathen was pretty hilarious.
“I leaned back, studying her as she finished my bun. A bit of icing covered her lip. Her nose was still red from the cold, her hair wild and windblown. My little heathen.”
Just inject it straight into my veins, people. I LOVE IT.
While the world-building was minimal, and Cesarine literally felt like an alternate historical Paris, I enjoyed the witch-craft and lore Shelby Mahurin weaved through the plot. The ending also felt so satisfying, and there's a great climactic sequence toward the end of this book that had me flipping the pages like a mad-woman. It's been a while since I've had so much fun with a new YA Fantasy book, and this one was definitely a blast. Again, don't expect high literature with this one. BUT, if you're looking for an addictive fantasy romance with wonderful characters and an intriguing story, this one's for you.
I'm definitely going to be picking up Blood & Honey as soon as it comes out. I'm so excited!!
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“I was no one's sacrifice. Not then. Not now. Not ever.”...more
“It was a door, tall and narrow and silver in the bright moonlight. It was closed, but I could sense the darkness that waited on the other side. Da4.5
“It was a door, tall and narrow and silver in the bright moonlight. It was closed, but I could sense the darkness that waited on the other side. Darkness so deep not even the light of the moon could penetrate it. It was the door from the hunger winter, and behind it the Crone was waiting.”
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Oh, how I loved this strange, dark, wondrous story. Maresi was gorgeous!
When she was young, Maresi came to the Red Abbey during the Hunger Winter. Before then, the Red Abbey only existed to her in stories - a myth whispered among mothers, daughters, and sisters. Now, Maresi is a novice at the Red Abbey, living on Menos, an island solely inhabited by women. In the Red Abbey, Maresi and her sisters are safe.
Until Jai arrives on Menos, with her golden hair and dirty clothes. She fled to the island, escaping danger from her past. Maresi soon befriends her, and learns that the things hunting Jai may come for the Red Abbey. Now, the novices and sisters must unite to protect her and their way of life against a raging tide.
I picked Maresi up on a whim.
I wasn't expecting much from this book - maybe a quick read, with magic and entertainment. It's the best feeling, falling into a story and sinking your teeth into it. I was so surprised, so overwhelmed by this beautiful little book.
For one, the story is told in an interesting style. Maresi is recounting the story of Jai's arrival to Menos, and the time after, in a knowing narrative voice. She recounts this story from the future, documenting it for future sisters and novices of the Red Abbey to read. It reads like a wondrous story, but it feels entirely personal, due to Maresi's endearing perspective. As a reader, you come to know her so deeply, and I was so attached to Maresi, Jai, and the rest of the sisters at the Red Abbey.
Specifically, Maresi and Jai's friendship broke my heart. I got choked up reading their interactions, and Maria Turtschaninoff understands beautifully the importance of sisterhood and female bonds, especially in a world that is so cruel to young girls.
“Holy Goddess,” I whispered into Jai’s hair, which smelled like soap and sun-bleached linen. “Maiden, Mother, and Crone, I pray to all your aspects. Relieve this girl’s burden.”
I just. *sobs*
The Red Abbey itself was wonderfully realized. I felt so immersed in the setting, and came to know the Abbey so intimately. I felt like I was there, in the Temple Garden and the library in Knowledge house. That was due in part to Turtschaninoff's gorgeous writing. It was simple, and packed an emotional punch with minimal prose. It's remarkable to me, when authors can evoke such raw, true emotion with so few words.
There's a deep, awe-inspiring magic present in the women of Menos. It's strange and Earth-shattering, empowering and frightening. I loved it. Mother leads the women of the Red Abbey, and all worship the First Mother and her three incarnations - the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone. I loved this element of mythos weaved within the narrative.
To my immense surprise, this book is incredibly dark. I thought Maresi leaned toward the younger side of YA due to its younger protagonists, but this story explores serious, brutal themes: parental abuse, sexual abuse, rape, and oppression. The young girls of the Red Abbey live in a world where women are seen as lesser-than, as undeserving of education, equality, and respect. Therefore, the Red Abbey is a safe haven, and a home for girls who seek knowledge and freedom. The deep horrors of this world are explored through Jai, and the trauma she faced at the hands of her father. So much darkness lingers at the edges of Maresi, but it's driven back by the shining characters, empowering narrative, and awe-inspiring magic.
I just...loved this book. A lot. I'm completely blown away because I wasn't expecting much, and was given a hidden gem of a story.Maresi was marvelous!
More people need to read this. I highly, highly recommend this if you're looking for a breath of fresh air within the YA fantasy genre! I can't wait to get to Naondel.
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“She does not know how to feel safe.” As I said it I knew it was true. “We will have to teach her how.”...more
“My master used to say, sometimes a whisper is all that is required to calm a storm, but when words fail, sometimes you need the thunder.”
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While I l“My master used to say, sometimes a whisper is all that is required to calm a storm, but when words fail, sometimes you need the thunder.”
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While I liked Shadow of the Fox, and was looking forward to the sequel, Soul of the Sword genuinely surprised me. I liked this a lot more than I was expecting to.
The story begins immediately after the explosive ending of the first book: Yumeko, Reika, Okame, Daisuke, and Master Jiro are on the run, and have to go on a perilous journey to secure the safety of a piece of the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers. Every thousand years, the Kami Dragon appears as the Harbringer of Change, and whoever possess every piece of the scroll is granted a wish.
Also, Yumeko is up against (view spoiler)[the demon Hakaimono, who is free and in possession of the body of Kage Tatsumi (hide spoiler)]. Not good.
This second installment of the Shadow of the Fox series opens with high stakes, a motley crew of underdog characters trying to save the world, and a tension-filled, heartbreaking romance. I was instantly hooked by the direction of the story, and Julie Kagawa definitely opens up the world of Iwagato in this book. The Japanese mythology is explored with intricacy and vividness, and some monsters were so horrifically imagined in my mind that I got chills. I love the world of Iwagato.
That's why it didn't bother me that this second installment was ultimately another journey book. It felt like I was watching a really cool anime: what creatures or magical obstacles will our band of unlikely heroes encounter next? What evil could be lurking in the shadows beyond the lantern light? It was all very entertaining.
Which leads me to our characters. I really loved them all. One of the main reasons I continued on with this series was because of the dynamic group that was forming at the end of book one, and the gang in Soul of the Sword definitely delivered. Reika is an unflinching badass with a huge heart. Okame is snarky, bull-headed, and completely lovable. Daisuke is a precious angel and a god-tier swordsman. Tatsumi continues to draw on my sympathy and be one of the most interesting characters in this series. And Yumeko, oh sweet, precious Yumeko. She's a shining light within these books, and I grew to love her so much in this story.
Julie Kagawa also said Gay Rights, because there's a m/m romance in here that had me SCREAMING. Thank you for not making everyone pair off in a hetero relationship, Julie. Thank you.
The central romance between Tatsumi and Yumeko was one of the most surprising elements of this book for me. I thought they were cute in Shadow of the Fox but the depth of their feelings for one another, and the sweet, emotionally devastating arc of their relationship had me close to tears. Again, I really wasn't expecting that. There's a level of sweetness, and true, pure feeling that deeply affected me, and I appreciate this book so much for it.
Along with the wonderful characters and swoon-worthy romance, the action and adventure scenes in this book were amazing. There's one scene toward the beginning of this story, where Yumeko and the crew must travel through what is called The Path of Shadows, a dark road through the land of the dead that allows you to travel great distances in short amounts of time. There, our beloved gang is plagued by memories of their lost loved ones, and it was written with chilling intensity.
“It is not the spirits that call to us,” he murmured, “It is our own failures and regrets we see. The things we wish we could have changed, the memories that haunt us.”
Is this series perfect? No, it isn't. Some of the plot developments seemed a little convenient towards the end for my taste, and for a majority of this second book, I preferred Yumeko's POV chapters to the other perspective. However, that changed for me towards the finale. I know Hakaimono is a murderous, bloodthirsty demon, but he's also kind of funny? I don't know what's wrong with me, but I'm a sucker for charming villains.
There's a lot to love here: great characters, heart-warming romance, and an adventure story full of Japanese mythology and Kitsune fox-magic. What's not to like?
I can't wait for the third and final book in this series, Night of the Dragon. The short wait until March 31st will be absolute torture.
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“In the best stories, the heroes always give their lives, for honor, duty, sacrifice and the glory of the empire. Anything less and it is not much of a story at all.”...more
“As a heartless killing machine, I was a terrible failure.”
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In a space-faring future dominated by corporate greed, planetary missions must be accomp“As a heartless killing machine, I was a terrible failure.”
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In a space-faring future dominated by corporate greed, planetary missions must be accompanied by Security Units rented from the Company. Murderbot (it refers to itself as such, but never out loud) is a Sec Unit - a half human, half robot construct - who's hacked its own Governor Module and has gained free will. However, instead of slaughtering its human overlords, Murderbot has decided to keep its day-job guarding humans, and streams a boatload of TV shows in its downtime.
Murderbot is on a standard assignment, acting as security for a research team from the Preservation Alliance, lead by Dr. Mensa. Distrustful of humans, Murderbot just wants to do its job and watch The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon for the millionth time. But, when a neighboring mission goes mysteriously dark, its up to Murderbot and its humans to figure out the truth.
All Systems Red is a fabulous first-installment in what is now one of my favorite series. Thanks, I'm obsessed.
Murderbot is one of my all-time favorite characters. How could I not love this anti-social, grumpy, achingly sentimental human-robot construct? Not only is Murderbot hilarious - its reluctance to do anything but stream TV shows and be away from humans was so relatable - there's also a wounded, surprisingly vulnerable aspect to Murderbot's personality. Most humans see Sec Units as murderous androids that are little more than weapons, but that's far from true. They are essentially sentient humanoid constructs that are enslaved by humanity, and mistreatment of androids within the Corporation Rim is a sad reality. Murderbot does not trust humans, because it knows the levels of cruelty and ignorance humans are capable of.
However, Murderbot finds the current group of human its protecting to be...different. And wouldn't you know it, Murderbot is starting to care about them.
“They were all so nice and it was just excruciating. I was never taking off the helmet again. I can't do even the half-assed version of this stupid job if I have to talk to humans.”
I loved Murderbot's relationships with its new clients so much, and I thoroughly enjoyed the human characters: Dr. Mensa, Ratthi, Pin-Lee, Arada, Overse, Volescu, Bharadwaj, and even Gurathin were all wonderful, and I loved witnessing their growing fondness of Murderbot. My heart is full to bursting.
The mystery had me on the edge of my seat, I cared so very deeply for Murderbot and its clients, and I had such a fun time reading from Murderbot's perspective. Its narration is wholly distinct, dry, witty, and endearingly awkward and pessimistic. I just love Murderbot, okay? I want to be Murderbot's friend, even though I know it'd want nothing to do with me since I'm a human. But...AH. I LOVE THIS SERIES.
“It’s wrong to think of a construct as half bot, half human. It makes it sound like the halves are discrete, like the bot half should want to obey orders and do its job and the human half should want to protect itself and get the hell out of here. As opposed to the reality, which was that I was one whole confused entity, with no idea what I wanted to do. What I should do. What I needed to do.”
If you haven't noticed, I'm a big fan of this series. If you haven't read All Systems Red, do yourself a favor and pick this up on audio. The narrator perfectly captures Murderbot's voice, and they're so enjoyable to listen to!
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“I don't know what I want. I said that at some point, I think. But it isn't that, it's that I don't want anyone to tell me what I want, or to make decisions for me.”...more
“The damsels are a legacy of nothing—no memory, no past, no family. Accept your nothing, and pray it stays that way.”
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Damsel is not for the faint4.5
“The damsels are a legacy of nothing—no memory, no past, no family. Accept your nothing, and pray it stays that way.”
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Damsel is not for the faint of heart.
This book is sold to readers as a YA fantasy fairytale, with a gorgeous cover and a synopsis that seems derivative. In the kingdom of Harding, the Rite has existed for centuries. When the crown prince comes of age, he must slay a dragon and rescue a damsel from the Gray Lands in order to become king. When Ama, our main character, wakes up in the arms of Prince Emory, she is told that he slayed the dragon and rescued her. With no memory of her past life, Emory tells Ama that he is her destiny, and that she is to be his Queen.
When they return to Harding, however, Ama begins to discover the unsettling truths of her new status as the crown princess, and realizes there are more to the legends of dragons and damsels than she thought.
I'm just going to warn everyone right now: heavy trigger warnings for rape, sexual assault, gas-lighting, self-harm, abuse, victim blaming, and animal cruelty. There might be more that I've missed, but those are the ones I explicitly took note of.
Damsel is not a YA fantasy romance. It's not fast-paced, romantic, or remotely pleasant. This book is nasty, unsettling, graphic, and incredibly strange. I sort of knew what I was getting into before starting this, which definitely contributed to my overall perception of the book. To my complete surprise, I...really loved it? I should've known, based on my past experiences of enjoying fucked up books, but a lot of people really hate Damsel.And I can see why.
Ama is put through hell in this story. She's stolen away, thrust into a world that's sexist and controlling, and told to live with it. It's truly heartbreaking when Ama begins to realize that she is not considered as Emory's equal in this book, nor will she ever be, even as Queen. To Emory, the current Queen Mother, and the Court, Ama is an object. Much of the tension in Damsel, then, arises from Ama's natural inclination toward freedom and self-expression. I was constantly worried for our main character, as she struggled to survive in this suffocating, cold environment. Danger lurked around every corner, which kept me consistently on edge.
I was also completely drawn into the mystery surrounding the Damsels and their origin. Who were these girls, before their memories were taken? Why do dragons hold these girls captive? Since Emory's mother is a central character in this story, Ama is given an additional insight into the sordid history of the Rite, since the Queen Mother was a damsel as well.
What I was most surprised by, however, was Elana K. Arnold's writing. It was evocative, gorgeous, and emotionally gripping. Some of the prose in Damsel spoke to me so viscerally, so innately, and I get chills just thinking about a certain scene in this book involving Ama and a wild lynx.
"It was right there - in the back of her brain, in the shine of the mother cat's eyes - a recollection, a calling back, a cognizance. If the cat would hold perfectly still. If she could move an inch closer. If they could gaze a moment longer, then, Ama felt certain, she could remember."
Arnold has done something remarkable, in that she's taken a narrative that we all know (a damsel is rescued by the hero, and saved from the monster), and woven a dark, twisted, deeply truthful tale that highlights the damaging aspects of abusive relationships. The cycle of abuse plays a prominent role in Emory and Ama's relationship. Ama feels sympathy toward her abuser when Emory shows kindness, and is blamed when the bad things that happened to her clearly weren't her fault. Ama's story is very reflective of the female experience, and how a destructive relationship can affect the abused party's sense of identity.
Damsel, therefore, is a testament to how unkind the world is towards women. And it's also a badass, emotionally satisfying story that had me shrieking with glee at the end. I know this book isn't for everyone, but I couldn't help but love this horrifying little book.
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“A brain will lie to the body, even when the body is the brain’s only hope.”...more
“He was caught, like the man from the tale who wanted to feed his family during a blizzard, but could not bear to kill the lamb. In the end, everyone “He was caught, like the man from the tale who wanted to feed his family during a blizzard, but could not bear to kill the lamb. In the end, everyone died of starvation, including the lamb. For Lady Fate makes all men choose eventually. Even Bloodwitches.”
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If you've read my previous reviews for the first couple books in The Witchlands, you'll know that I wasn't a super-fan of this series. I liked it, but wasn't amorously invested or particularly attached to most of the characters.
That has changed, friends.
I...I can't breathe. I loved Bloodwitch with every fiber of my soul. I get it, guys. I understand the extreme love people have for these books now, because DAMN. I would die a thousand fiery deaths for this book.
*opens a bottle of wine*
*proceeds to pour five glasses*
Okay, let's get into this before I completely lose it.
Bloodwitch exceeded all of my expectations. It stopped my heart, made it pound mercilessly, and then proceeded to stab it repeatedly. I was not prepared. Dennard's fourth book within the Witchlands series has opened up the world, made me fall in love with characters I initially only liked, and gave me the Aeduan and Iseult story arc that I've been waiting for. And it was glorious.
Without spoilers, Bloodwitch focuses on Aeduan, his backstory, and journey across the Witchlands with the Threadwitch, Iseult. I won't say anything else about the plot, but it's very apparent that Dennard intended for this third installment to shift the Witchlands series into newer, higher stakes. In previous books, there was always one or two POV chapters that I liked considerably less than others, but in here? All were relevant, and incredibly interesting. It's probably because Dennard has crafted compelling, nuanced characters that drive the plot forward.
I was extremely shocked to find that I actually liked Merik in this book. Like, what? He's been my least favorite character in this series for two books now, but in this installment, his character growth came to a head beautifully. I found myself really caring for him, and I'm proud of how far he's come.
The entire cast of female characters were all wonderful. Vaness is a badass Empress who is also allowed vulnerable moments with Safiya, our lovable Truthwitch. Their friendship was a central point in this book, which I really appreciated. In general, Susan Dennard puts a lot of emphasis on female relationships within her books. Thank the gods.
Safiya has grown a lot since book one as well, and I particularly enjoyed her chapters in Bloodwitch. Her position as a Truthwitch for the Marstoki court, and her subsequent friendship with Vaness was nuanced, and I love the fact that these powerful women have so much respect for one another. The same could be said about Vivia in this book as well. I really rooted for Vivia, and I was so infuriated on her behalf because her dad is a dick. She's a capable, brave leader whose endeavors to protect Nubrevna from invading forces are dismissed by self-important men. There's a scene in this book with Vivia that gave me chills, and it was almost equivalent to a Daenerys Targaryen/Queen of the Dragons scene from Game of Thrones. So awesome!
“How is it,” Stix asked, “that men always seem to claim victory over the triumphs earned by women?”
Iseult continues to be one of my favorite characters in this series, and I just...love everything about her. Her exploration of her newfound magic, internal growth, and bond with the Earthwitch child, Owl, were all well done and tugged at my heart. Iseult is steady, thoughtful, and fiercely brave. Dennard allows all of her characters to make mistakes and be flawed, and I ached with Iseult as she faced peril after peril in this book.
I also ached with her over Aeduan.
*swipes aside empty wine glasses* LISTEN. Aeduan's journey in this book broke me. Broke me, I tell you. He's my favorite character in the Witchlands for a reason. Yes, he's an efficient, badass Bloodwitch with deadly blood magic. Yes, he's morally ambiguous and mysterious. But he's also vulnerable, has buried trauma from his past, and goes through an emotional journey in this book that had me in tears. Susan Dennard was not kind to any of her characters in here, but she really put Aeduan through the ringer in this book. I was constantly worried for him, and fretfully flipping through the pages just to make sure he would be okay. I love him so much, guys. It's pathetic.
Iseult and Aeduan's relationship in this book nearly killed me. I will ship them until the end of my days. I stopped breathing when they were even remotely near each other. I'm a grown ass woman, and my heart was skipping around like a lovesick teenager's. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. The angst, the tension. It was too much for my heart to take, and there were scenes between them that I still think about. It's BAD, GUYS. I'M OBSESSED.
“From the day she had stabbed Aeduan in the heart, that heart had become hers—and she would not let this be his end."
Even the minor characters were wonderful! Cam and Ryber appear briefly, which made me happy, and Leopold was a welcome addition to this book as well. He barely made an appearance in Truthwitch and wasn't even in Windwitch, so his subsequent involvement in this book was a surprise. Specifically, he and Iseult have to team up here, and their dynamic was...surprisingly really cool. Their friendship was sweet, and made me smile. I can't wait to see more of him in the coming installments!
Every character had their moment to shine in Bloodwitch. Every character was given depth, a meaningful story arc, and weight.
The politics in this story continue to entertain as well. I found the political tensions in this book to be very interesting, and I liked that I wasn't completely sure who to trust. The machinations of the plot were steeped in mystery and danger. Were the supposed "antagonists," like the Raider King, really the enemy?
There are greater things at play in this narrative than just the politics, though, and I appreciated the essential information Sightwitch supplied for this book. Without it, I would've definitely missed out: based on what happens at the end of Bloodwitch, I'm intrigued to see what Dennard does in the next two books. It's bound to be so epic.
The magic, which straight up reminds me of Avatar: The Last Airbender, along with the enthralling world-building, hefty magical lore, and political intrigue culminated into an epic fantasy story that I've still been thinking about since I finished it. Bloodwitch has cemented the Witchlands as one of my new favorite currently running fantasy series, and I'm desperately in need of Book 4. Like, I NEED IT MORE THAN I NEED AIR.
This was definitely the surprise of 2019 for me. I'm still so emotional over it.
*hiccups*
*proceeds to sob in a wine-drunken stupor*
Well, if you need me, I'll be throwing back liquid luck until the next book comes out....more
“What you are is a fucking tragedy, Simon Snow. You literally couldn't be a bigger mess."
He tries to kiss me, but I pull back- "And you like that?"4.5
“What you are is a fucking tragedy, Simon Snow. You literally couldn't be a bigger mess."
He tries to kiss me, but I pull back- "And you like that?"
"I love it." He says
"Why?"
"Because we match.”
...
Oh, hello! Didn't see you there. What are all these empty wine bottles and used tissues doing piled around me, you ask? Don't worry about it. *proceeds to open another bottle*
SO. I read Carry On about three and a half months ago, during one of the worst months of my life. I won't get into personal details, but my mental health was at an all time low. I was going through it, and when I started this book, I just wanted a light, happy story that would help me take my mind off of all the shit I was dealing with.
Carry On broke my heart, pieced it back together, and made me feel so happy. You know those stories that you just...read at the perfect time? Well, this book was one of them for me. I ABSOLUTELY ADORED IT.
I just-*keens* LIKE, OKAY. I'LL TRY TO BE COHERENT.
Carry On is supposedly Rainbow Rowell's take on the infamous Chosen One trope. Simon Snow is the most powerful mage in the world, but according to his roommate Baz (who's also a vampire), Simon is the worst Chosen One ever. Half the time he can't get his wand to work, his girlfriend broke up with him, and his mentor is avoiding him. And all the while, a magic-eating monster called the Humdrum is wearing Simon's face and wreaking havoc.
I just want to get this out of the way: Carry On is really similar to Harry Potter. If that bothers you, you might not want to pick this up. However, if you know what you're getting into and that doesn't bother you in the slightest, then this book is definitely for you.
I loved Carry On. Seriously, it's been a while since I've had this much fun reading a book.
I'm just...so overwhelmed. First of all, I loved the characters. Simon Snow is my son. I expected to like Simon, but??? I would die for him??? It's true that Snow is probably the worst Chosen One ever, but his endearing inner monologue, complete cluelessness, and genuine heart made me love him SO MUCH.
And then there's Baz Pitch.
*physically implodes*
My love for him is endless. ENDLESS, I TELL YOU. I'm a sucker for moody, dark, sassy characters that don't give a fuck but secretly really do. Like, Tyrannus Basilton Grimm-Pitch is my adoptive little trash-can of a vampire son and I would do anything for him. His sardonic wit and angsty soul spoke to me on a spiritual level, okay? And I loved reading about his supposedly unreciprocated crush on a certain golden-boy wizard. My heart grew 15 sizes!!
I look at his suit again and his shiny black shoes. "Basil. Have you met a bloke?"
He smiles, and he's made of trouble. We should have dropped him in the Thames in a bag of stones. We should have left him out for the fairies.
"Something like that."
I'M SCREAMING.
I'd also like to point out that Penny is a lovely addition to this book as well. She's Simon's best friend and platonic soulmate, and I thought she was delightful. Her love for Simon made my heart ache, and these two stupid boys would've been floundering and adrift if it weren't for Penny. The only other perspective in this book that I haven't talked about is Agatha, and...I'm not a fan. She's not supposed to be particularly likable, and I appreciated what her character contributed to some of the themes of the story, but I found her to be annoying and kind of insufferable. Thank god she was barely in the book.
The romance in here was PERFECTION. It made my heart flutter, had a good amount of angst and tension, and was deliciously slow-burn. It helped that Baz was completely besotted even from the beginning and Simon was utterly clueless, but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of heart and soul in Baz and Simon's relationship. Was it everything my Drarry-loving heart has ever wanted? Yes. And did it melt my shriveled, black heart? ABSOLUTELY.
“I am going to die kissing Simon Snow. Aleister Crowley, I'm living a charmed life.”
Carry On isn't just a romance, though. There's a compelling mystery at it's core, and the magic system isn't just a rip-off of Harry Potter. Spells are only as powerful as the words that are used to create them, and the magic associated with words and sayings was quite creative, and a different approach to magic that I enjoyed. There was plenty of magic, peril, and the ending was incredibly heartfelt and emotionally satisfying. The aftermath of such an ending wasn't just overlooked, either: Simon, Baz, and Penny experience repercussions that normally aren't acknowledged in normal fantasy stories. I can't wait to see how this will be explored even more in the sequel.
So. I loved this book. SO MUCH. It's definitely the surprise of 2019 for me, and like I said: I can't wait for Wayward Son. I'm gonna cry I'm so happy!!
“I knew now that I had entered some hitherto unimagined - indeed, unbelieved-in - realm of consciousness, that coming to this place had already change“I knew now that I had entered some hitherto unimagined - indeed, unbelieved-in - realm of consciousness, that coming to this place had already changed me and that there was no going back.”
...
Few books have truly scared me.
I can name a few, sure. Books like The Fisherman and The Only Good Indians unsettled me, and Pet Sematary still lives in my nightmares as one of the most frightening things I've read. And none of these are really ghost stories. Sure, they contemplate the horrors of loss and overpowering grief, and reckon with some truly terrifying circumstances, but none are ghost stories in the traditional sense. The hauntings were internal, psychological, nearly cosmic.
On the surface, The Woman in Black is a ghost story. It follows a young solicitor named Arthur Kipps, whose employer has tasked him with traveling to a Northern English town named Crythin Gifford to settle the affairs of a recently deceased Mrs Alice Drablow. It is at Alice's funeral where he first sees the Woman in Black, a spectre that haunts the Drablows' Eel Marsh House. When Arthur arrives at Eel Marsh to sort through Alice's papers, he begins to understand the true horrors of the mystery surrounding the ghostly Woman in Black.
It's a very standard set-up: a young professional arrives in an isolated village, haunted by the spectre of a mysterious woman, and he's tasked with sorting through the belongings of a recently deceased widow in the bowels of a lonely, dark manor house. Arthur even remarks at one point that this job reminds him of some gothic novel he'd read growing up. By all accounts, Susan Hill is aware of the genre she's traversing, and amplifies the style of her story accordingly. Her writing is descriptive, atmospheric, and laced with a knowing sense of dread and melancholy. Like any good ghost story, The Woman in Black feels as if Arthur is telling this tale to you on a cold, winter's night beside a roaring fire.
But Arthur's story is not just a ghost story. It is a tragedy, and the horrors that accompany it are too terrible to comprehend.
“No, no, you have none of you any idea. This is all nonsense, fantasy, it is not like this. Nothing so blood-curdling and becreepered and crude - not so...so laughable. The truth is quite other, and altogether more terrible.”
Truly, this book scared the living shit out of me. I was reluctant to go to bed last night because I didn't want to be in the dark. I was afraid of what could be looming in the black chasm of my bedroom doorway, of the indefinable shadows that huddle in the corners of my vision. The unspeakable nature of Arthur's experiences chilled me to the bone, and I don't even want to talk about it - some things are too terrible to speak about. Susan Hill illustrates this expertly in The Woman in Black.
This book is perfect for Halloween, but you might not want to read it when you're alone at night.
...
“I do not believe I have ever again slept so well as I did that night in the inn at Crythin Gifford. For I see that then I was still all in a state of innocence, but that innocence, once lost, is lost forever.”...more
We are the choices we make. And have to make. We aren’t anything else.
...
It's been over a month since I've finished this book, and I'm still thinking We are the choices we make. And have to make. We aren’t anything else.
...
It's been over a month since I've finished this book, and I'm still thinking about it.
The Ask and the Answer is a masterpiece. I really liked the first book, The Knife of Never Letting Go, but the second book in the Chaos Walking trilogy floored me.
We follow Todd and Viola immediately after the events of the first book: Todd is captured by the Mayor in Haven (now known as New Prentisstown), and Viola is recovering from her gushot wound in the house of healing. Mayor Prentiss has declared himself President of New World, and now rules over its capital. Shrouded in secrets and filled with unspeakable horrors, Todd must navigate the dangers of New Prentisstown to ensure Viola's safety.
And then one day, the bombs begin to explode.
I remember reading The Knife of Never Letting Go last year, and it shocked me with its dark and mature themes. Going into this book, I didn't think it could get any worse.
I was wrong.
This book...it ruined me. It dragged me under and consumed my life from page 1. I finished this behemoth of a story in 24 hours because I simply couldn't put it down. I was captivated by not only the characters, but the deep, incredibly difficult emotional turmoil they had to suffer through.
I liked the characters in the first book, but man. Todd and Viola are my babies and I will protect them with everything I have. I love how different and alike they both are. Todd is loyal, kind, quick to anger, and incredibly stubborn. Viola is sharp, level-headed, passionate, and fearless. I adore them both. There friendship and love for one another puts me to tears! I LOVE THEM SO DAMN MUCH.
Ahem. Sorry.
The things these two went through in this book. HOLY SHIT. Patrick Ness put them through hell. He made them experience horrors that no child should never have to witness. Things like war, death, torture, genocide, terrorism, and systematic oppression. I was continuously floored by Ness and his abilities in characterization. Our characters face some serious moral dilemmas.
There aren't merely good guys and bad guys in war. There are only those who survive, and those who do not.
I couldn't breathe throughout a majority of this book. I was constantly worrying about Todd and Viola, wondering how the fuck they'd survive this hellhole of a city. Mayor Prentiss was a terrifying villain, and the ways in which he manipulated Todd were horrifying and incredibly telling. The best types of antagonists are the ones with a clear viewpoint; dark and twisted they may be, you understand where they're coming from.
This isn't just an epic science fiction adventure story. The Ask and the Answer is so much more. It's a masterpiece. It's a timely story about a boy and a girl in a cruel, prejudiced, war-torn world that isn't too different from our own. I saw glimpses of our Earth's dark history in this story, and glimmers of devastating truth.
I want to put this book in everyone's hands. It's devastating, heart-pounding, honest, and unputdownable. Ness has a gift for writing that very few possess. In simple yet sophisticated prose, Ness conveys truths that are inescapable, and incredibly important.
If Monsters of Men is anywhere near as good as this book, I will be satisfied. For now, I'm going to sit in a darkened room and curl up in a fetal position. Because THIS BOOK.
...
"“It's not that you should never love something so much that it can control you. It's that you need to love something that much so you can never be controlled. It's not a weakness. It's your best strength.”...more
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