12-19: 'Cemetery Songs' by Julie Gilbert is the story of Apollonia Stone.. a girl who can hear the final thoughts of the dead. Struggling with her circumstances, a biracial teenager adopted into a transracial family who lives in one of those small towns with minimal diversity, her path to self-acceptance is littered with challenges.
When she finds out her birthmother has died, she starts to slip. In an emotional spiral, she accidentally sets fire to the high school, falls way behind in her classes, drives away her friends, and gets suspended from her job. To make things even worse, a former classmate witnesses the fire incident and blackmails her into helping him break the law.
Despite the way things begin between them, Polly has mixed feelings for her extortionist.. Billy Meyer. She's a compassionate girl and things aren't great for him either. So, naturally the more she comes to know of his story, the more conflicted she finds herself.
Volunteering for the city archive, amidst a research trip to a local cemetery.. Polly discovers a ghost she can actually communicate with. Harrison Card.. a kind, charming teenager who died mysteriously in the 1920's.. spurs her curiosity and her determination to find out more about what happened to him.
I was really intrigued by the premise of the book, which I felt sounded creative and would deal with some serious real world issues. The first half though.. is both incredibly slow and quite dull. I understand about slow building backstories and developing characters. That wasn't the problem. It was just monotone story telling. Though there were multiple people in scenes, initially.. none of them had any real distinction. No unique voices to separate them.
Around the midway point there was a definitive shift in the narration and dialogue. As Billy and Harrison emerged more openly across the pages, those personalities finally began to unfold. The voices of both boys and Polly becoming clearer.. brighter. From that point on, I was hooked. Though my main investment was in Billy and Polly.. I was eager to see how Harrison's story played out as well.
As for those important topics.. I just didn't think they were done as well as they could have been. Despite the author's personal background, the prose didn't feel as if it connected with the important issues that the story addressed. Likewise, aspects of Harrison's story were interesting. The author did touch on some culturally significant history, but seemed to skim over much of the emotional and psychological affects of the despicable behavior experienced by the characters.. which left it feeling kind of thin.
That being said, Gilbert is still a solid writer. The story is concise and well-told. After the midway point, which I just feel was a little too long to wait to get things moving.. I eagerly poured through the rest of the text.. and she did have me blinking back tears a couple of times. Just, not necessarily where I think she should have.
All-in-all, regardless of the few constructive criticisms above.. it's a worthwhile read. If for no other reason than to open eyes to some of the horrors of the past.. present.. and probably still the future ahead, to encourage the reader to learn more about these types of incidents on their own, and to raise awareness of the world around us.. to the real things others are still struggling with every day.. give this book a chance.
12-19: 'Cemetery Songs' by Julie Gilbert is the story of Apollonia Stone.. a girl who can hear the final thoughts of the dead. Struggling with her circumstances, a biracial teenager adopted into a transracial family who lives in one of those small towns with minimal diversity, her path to self-acceptance is littered with challenges.
When she finds out her birthmother has died, she starts to slip. In an emotional spiral, she accidentally sets fire to the high school, falls way behind in her classes, drives away her friends, and gets suspended from her job. To make things even worse, a former classmate witnesses the fire incident and blackmails her into helping him break the law.
Despite the way things begin between them, Polly has mixed feelings for her extortionist.. Billy Meyer. She's a compassionate girl and things aren't great for him either. So, naturally the more she comes to know of his story, the more conflicted she finds herself.
Volunteering for the city archive, amidst a research trip to a local cemetery.. Polly discovers a ghost she can actually communicate with. Harrison Card.. a kind, charming teenager who died mysteriously in the 1920's.. spurs her curiosity and her determination to find out more about what happened to him.
I was really intrigued by the premise of the book, which I felt sounded creative and would deal with some serious real world issues. The first half though.. is both incredibly slow and quite dull. I understand about slow building backstories and developing characters. That wasn't the problem. It was just monotone story telling. Though there were multiple people in scenes, initially.. none of them had any real distinction. No unique voices to separate them.
Around the midway point there was a definitive shift in the narration and dialogue. As Billy and Harrison emerged more openly across the pages, those personalities finally began to unfold. The voices of both boys and Polly becoming clearer.. brighter. From that point on, I was hooked. Though my main investment was in Billy and Polly.. I was eager to see how Harrison's story played out as well.
As for those important topics.. I just didn't think they were done as well as they could have been. Despite the author's personal background, the prose didn't feel as if it connected with the important issues that the story addressed. Likewise, aspects of Harrison's story were interesting. The author did touch on some culturally significant history, but seemed to skim over much of the emotional and psychological affects of the despicable behavior experienced by the characters.. which left it feeling kind of thin.
That being said, Gilbert is still a solid writer. The story is concise and well-told. After the midway point, which I just feel was a little too long to wait to get things moving.. I eagerly poured through the rest of the text.. and she did have me blinking back tears a couple of times. Just, not necessarily where I think she should have.
All-in-all, regardless of the few constructive criticisms above.. it's a worthwhile read. If for no other reason than to open eyes to some of the horrors of the past.. present.. and probably still the future ahead, to encourage the reader to learn more about these types of incidents on their own, and to raise awareness of the world around us.. to the real things others are still struggling with every day.. give this book a chance.
Unfortunately, the premise sounded fantastic, but the story and writing never hooked me. While it's technically sound, it bored me to tears, which is Unfortunately, the premise sounded fantastic, but the story and writing never hooked me. While it's technically sound, it bored me to tears, which is obviously a personal preference thing.
Over a decade ago, I tried to read A Court of Thorns and Roses. I never got into that back then because I couldn't stand the sister. Eventually, I'd still like to go back and try again.. but even though that short read wasn't exactly in the forefront of my mind.. the beginning of this story felt questionably similar.
The second thing I noticed.. was that the village seemed to be dealing with a Shadow and Bone situation. Again, far too similar to be ignored.
This is a case where I still might have kept reading if any of the characters had any depth or offered me any emotional connection, but that failed to happen as well. Even the North Wind himself is incredibly bland....more
Deus Ex Machina x Infinity and the Avengers Assemble Approach
I'm not a Sarah J. Maas basher. Let me get that out of the way upfront. Over the last fewDeus Ex Machina x Infinity and the Avengers Assemble Approach
I'm not a Sarah J. Maas basher. Let me get that out of the way upfront. Over the last few years, I've come to feel like a lot of people who read and review her work.. don't like it at all.. and specifically continue to do so in order to use the name and massive audience just for attention. That being said, this is now the fourth title of hers I have finished and it's the first one I've been disappointed with.
Bear with me.. and I'll try to get through this without spoiling anything if possible.
I was late to the SJM party despite the urgings of my closest friend. I just couldn't get past the beginning of A Court of Thorns and Roses the when I initially tried it, so my first full SJM read was House of Earth and Blood back in 2020 and I loved it. From the get-go, the author drew me in and made me love characters that she immediately turned around and used to destroy me. What's not to like?
While the first book suffered from a couple of issues that I considered minor considering the overall scope of the story, it was a rich.. emotional read. The worldbuilding and magic systems were both huge, elaborate pieces of the book, the characters were relatively diverse in behavioral make-up, and it was clear the series was going to have a lot to offer.
By book two, I was eager to get my hands on the next installment of the story.. particularly because it promised more attention to my favorite character.. but also because I wanted to see where the tale was going. As with the series debut, House of Sky and Breath was another stunner. It had the same flaws I took issue with in the first, but again.. the payoff was so good it didn't ultimately matter. It also had the things that had hooked me.. devastating emotional moments and deep character development.
Obviously, I'm sure it's no surprise then.. that I also jumped on the release of House of Flame and Shadow as soon as it released, but nothing could prepare me for the whopping disappointment and general disinterest I found as I read one of my most anticipated books of the year.
Here now, those two relatively minor problems became huge ones. The information dumping I complained about before.. was prevalent everywhere.. with an entire chapter even dedicated to nothing else. Maas' penchance for forcing characters to behave outside of their psychological profile in order to drive the story to a specific point.. likewise.. is on full display.
Unfortunately, the strengths that had enabled me to easily overlook those things in the two previous books.. were largely missing. I suspect the reason for this is quite simply a case of having more plates spinning in the air.. than Maas could reasonably handle in the space of time provided.
Originally, I felt like it was a skill issue.. and in a sense.. perhaps it is. As I thought about other authors who had dealt with similarly dense content, I realized either they.. or those who chose to publish their works.. just knew where to draw the line. They either kept to a smaller focal point.. enabling the reader to retain that close connection with the characters or they divided the content into more segments and I really think either choice could have saved the final part of the story for me.
There is understandably.. a lot happening in this novel. We've had over 1,600 pages previously to build a world-sized cast and a monumental plot. In trying to tie together everyone's personal histories, their present situations as individuals, and their role in the overarching tale.. while also managing all the chaotic plot devices, any connection with the characters or the story itself was lost.
Things that I would ordinarily be moved by in Maas' hands.. had little to no effect on me as they were skimmed by. Interactions between characters mostly felt forced and uninteresting. I wanted to feel for my favorites, but I wasn't given the opportunity. We were too busy being jettisoned to the next thought or next scene.
And holy deus ex machina.. my friends. I'm not sure I've ever seen the device so abused before. It is everywhere. There is no weight of consequence despite the dire situation we're told everyone is in because there are resolutions for any possible conflict popping up all throughout the book.
Everyone is leveling up.. becoming super powered, none of course more extensively than our main protagonist, to the point they constantly feel unstoppable. They're massing allies for the final Avengers vs super villains confrontation. Every time there's a problem, there's a solution at the ready. I never spent a moment fearing for anyone.. and that's not something I can say for either of the other books in the series. There's literally a point where I threw up my hands and realized.. okay.. there are no longer any world/system rules here at all.
While that's not to say that everyone IS 100% safe.. there wasn't a moment that upset me.. or unnerved me in anyway. The surprises are minimal and while I found one of them quite interesting in concept, it was handled in such an offhanded way that I didn't care.
Add to all that, the Chosen One thing is so overdone.. I can't even deal with it.. and everyone around her has suddenly become unable to make a move without her. All these previously strong characters are just useless props for the Super Magical Starborn Princess Whatever. They've all become too weak, too guilt-ridden, too afraid.. insert random vulnerability here.
Don't even get me started on convenient 360s and basically being told something is final.. repeatedly.. only to see again and again that it isn't.. but oh.. Through All Love.. blah blah blah.
I'm sad that the series feels ruined, but the author's work with the first two books.. as well as Throne of Glass.. which I also finally read, will keep me trying for now. I hope that this isn't a sign of things to come. If you're on the fence about reading this book already, maybe don't waste your time. But if you're generally a fan of the author, I guess you might owe it to yourself to get through it.. even if you feel like I do in the end....more
"To hate the thing that is completing you. To love the thing that is destroying you. What perfect suffering. What hell divine."04-26-24 Complete Review:
"To hate the thing that is completing you. To love the thing that is destroying you. What perfect suffering. What hell divine."
It's safe to say that Empire of the Damned did such a number on me.. it was a couple of weeks before I felt like I could sit down and parse through my feelings. Certainly.. the last novel I read that was this robust.. this well fleshed-out.. was its predecessor.. Empire of the Vampire. After a year and a half, not another title was released that could even approach the weight and emotion of Gabriel de Leon's story.
Book two in the series continues to pull no punches.. and looking forward to the final part of the tale to come.. I find myself eagerly dreading what awaits me as a reader.
Something really interesting happened with Kristoff as this series began. He was already a great writer, but the massive undertaking of weaving so many plotlines and characters together is more than enough to break many other seasoned authors with larger series under their belts. Those of you who know me, also know who I mean. But in this case, the author simply rose to the challenge like a mortal set upon some gods designed path of myth.
For me, Kristoff has joined the ranks of a small select few. Writers so deft of word that their stories can be elegance and destruction on a vast scale that never loses sight of the individual. Storytellers the likes of Neil Gaiman, Anne Rice, Stephen King, and George R.R. Martin.. that can lay siege to the world as a whole.. and still find ways to crush you on a deeply emotional level.. one-to-one.
As an author known for killing off the characters he makes us love, I'm almost more afraid of what lies ahead when some of them survive. What horrible fate will befall them now if they've been given a reprieve?
All of these things continue to be present in book two. I've wept for the Golden One.. softened to the skinwitch.. and been emboldened by the actions of one taking back their power. I've been relieved and crushed again a moment later.. or vice versa.. at revelation after revelation.
I've also seen some things made clear.. finally.. that I've been suspecting for some time, but the final outcome eludes. I don't know what will happen.. only that it will continue to hurt along the way.. and that I cannot wait to experience that.
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01-29-24 / Sampler Review only (Full review coming soon): One thing I feel I can count on with a Kristoff title, is the author does nothing at half-measure. Empire of the Vampire was a bloody, beast of a tale.. and from this massive sampler alone.. I can tell Empire of the Damned is going to be another of its kind.
This story pulls no punches, but that's really another Kristoff trait I've come to count on. The sampler doesn't just tease and leave you before you've grown invested. Honestly, it reads like a small novel in its own right.
The situations are dire, the action sequences are controlled chaos, and at the core of the story.. the beating heart remains ever true. I loved getting a glimpse at how Dior and Gabe's relationship has evolved.. and I really enjoyed the tension filled dynamic between Gabe and some of the other characters at play here.
I am definitely eager to continue reading.. and I know it's going to be a hell of a ride....more
"He had, lying dormant within him, a primal instinct that made him extremely adept at suffering in silence."
Imagine my surprise upon reali"He had, lying dormant within him, a primal instinct that made him extremely adept at suffering in silence."
Imagine my surprise upon realizing this intriguing story was actually a Peter Pan retelling wrapped in uneasy shadows and hidden beneath renamed or severely retooled characters. If not for the name Slightly standing out so strangely to me.. though it was a character I hadn't paid much attention to in the source material.. I might never have known.
In that regard alone, 'Your Blood, My Bones' is probably the most creative retelling of the Neverland story that I've ever come across. The tale is inherently dark and so removed from any familiar setting, that even with Peter in the forefront, I didn't immediately recall Hook's actual first name and Wyatt threw me off completely.
Peter's story here is a tragic one. He's a brooding character for very good reasons and when Wyatt arrives home to deal with her father's legacy, I was completely caught up in the mystery of the farm as well as Peter's very unusual situation. The strange happenings amidst the isolated landscape kept me enthralled and when the truth began to come to light, I was devastated for him.
That being said, like many.. Peter is really the draw for me here. I found Wyatt to be passable at best, but annoying much of the time. Her actions, right up through the end came across as petulent and selfish, despite the whole 'chosen one' premise. I won't go into detail and ruin anything, but the ending really cheapened Peter's experience, in my opinion. ...more
I'm going to keep this brief, as it's a short story and a very quick read. Though the tale was predictable, I always enjoy Moreno-Garcia's way of weavI'm going to keep this brief, as it's a short story and a very quick read. Though the tale was predictable, I always enjoy Moreno-Garcia's way of weaving her stories and this was no exception. It has a real classic fairy tale feel with a bit of the supernatural and lessons to be learned. ...more
'To Kill a Shadow' by Katherine Quinn is a split POV tale that follows the mingled paths of a Knight Commander named Jude Maddox and Kiara Frey, a you'To Kill a Shadow' by Katherine Quinn is a split POV tale that follows the mingled paths of a Knight Commander named Jude Maddox and Kiara Frey, a young woman from a poor village, whose decision to protect her brother lands her in conscription.
Jude, also known as the Hand of Death, is a brutally scarred warrior who is said to belong to the King. Marked inside and out, he's suffered greatly at the hands of those who should have loved him.. as much or more than he has from the enemies he has encountered. He's considered cold, hard, and unreachable, considering himself as much monster as the beasts he has felled.
Kiara is an outcast in her village. Her connection with anyone left beyond her younger brother, is tenuous at best. Defiant, she's quick to anger and quick to fight, relishing the adrenaline of the challenge.. and that's exactly what puts her in peril.
Though there is an overarching plot and clearly intentions for more in a series, I felt most of the book centered on the characters themselves. Quinn seemed to focus largely on the development of Jude and Kiara.. both as individuals.. and on the story growing between them.
Pacing was moderate.. seemingly to allow time for things to expand between not only the main characters, but the cast of supporting characters as well. As is often the case, for me.. that meant it dragged just a little. Not enough that I ever wanted to stop reading, just enough that it felt like it took me a bit longer to read than it needed to. That's just my personal preference though and in no way does it reflect on the quality of the writing.
That being said, I did feel there were moments the writing felt a little clumsy, but they were mostly brief and really subject to the same things 90% of modern authors seem to struggle with. Transitional moments in relationships and natural dialogue have got to be two of the most common I see. While these emotional transitions were a little off-balance, the dialogue here is largely pretty good.
My only complaint is probably the actual statement that Kiara 'isn't like others.' I mean, we get it. We get tired of it.. but we get it. You don't have to say it. Again, that's personal taste. On that note, Quinn does have a habit of repeating things she doesn't want the reader to miss, which irks me because I pay attention. However, seeing as most readers seem to lose the plot easily, I can understand her choice to do so.
Quinn did do a fantastic job on settings, in my opinion. From the grittiness of the small village, to the opulent, oppressive nature of the Knights home.. and later.. within the mist.. where all manner of vile and carnivorous thing might dwell, her descriptions are visually lush.
I really loved Jude though and Kiara is a pretty good co-lead. I found her to be kind and funny.. and she managed not to annoy me.. which is really what I ask most in a 'strong, female character' design. I do hope Quinn continues the story as I am hooked enough that I want to see what Jude has planned.. and there's a villain I'm waiting to find out about in-depth.
While I will happily recommend a read, there is a fair bit of violence and gore, and some subjects certain readers might find uncomfortable.. as it is a horror fantasy.
10-20: 'A Bright Heart' by Kate Chenli starts out with a bang, mid-betrayal. The reader, much like the MC.. Mingshin, gets a couple of minutes to get their bearings, and then the real story begins. Personally, I'm a fan of these types of whirlwind openings, but it's a little on the brief side.
Things I loved:
Prince Jieh -- While at first he's painted as a bit of a snob and he seems dismissive of the trivialities of other people's lives, his character opens up over time through exposure to Mingshin. What we are shown, I felt was always there as with his best friend, Yao.. and they both turn out to be favorites for me.
Yao -- The prince's best friend is warm, loyal, and light-hearted. I felt like the pair kept each other grounded despite social statuses and their comraderie was a lot of fun. He's probably the most relatable character in the book for me.
The magic system -- Nine types of magic, mirroring the use of this number in other areas of Chinese legends/mythology. I won't be too specific, as I don't want to ruin anything and it isn't overly developed, but it is handled in an interesting way. The imagery of the magic through artwork was one of the highlights though.
Things that could have been better:
Mingshin -- Our main character is likeable enough and has good intentions. She's one of those types who is instantly one of the best at everything though and that always feels a bit silly to me. She's perfectly smart and skilled, but "so plain and looked down upon." Not my trope.
Prose -- From both a descriptive and narrative standpoint, the story felt a bit out of sync. And I don't blame the author here, it's something I'm seeing more and more in current releases.. but it feels incomplete? Lackadaisical? Unfulfilling. Whether the author is describing a setting or having a character convey information, it ends up coming across like a checklist.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. I was rooting for Mingshin and rooting specifically against a couple of other characters, which I'll leave you to discover. Though the topics seem heavy in spots, it's actually a pretty light read, in my opinion and it's well-paced.
If you enjoy Asian fantasy, enemies who might become something more, and stories featuring underdogs.. this is one for you.
11-27: Certainly as many of you know, Olivia Atwater is one of my favorite modern day authors. So, of course I jumped at the opportunity to advance read her upcoming release, 'The Witchwood Knot.'
Taking place in the same world I've come to know and adore.. as the Regency Faerie Tales, Olivia has lead us on a new journey in this.. her Victorian Faerie Tales series. This one's just a little bit darker, with a lovely gothic fantasy setting full of both wonder and chills. Even the cover has a beautiful papercraft feel to the art style that really gives off delicate, antique vibes.
Our main character, Victorian governess Winifred Hall, is charming and relatable. One of the things I love about Olivia's characters is they always feel very natural.. from their flaws to their quirks. There's no over-the-top attempt to make them stand out, they simply do because they come across like very real people.
Winnie doesn't even particularly like children.. or people.. for that matter and she has good reasons for the way she feels. Her backstory is richly textured. She's kind, though not falsely friendly. She's warm with those who have earned her love and trust.
Another of my favorite things about Olivia's writing.. is every character in the book always has a fully-fleshed out personality and story of their own. We may get more or less of it based on their role in the story, but make no mistake.. they are each individuals with a very specific part of the tale to tell.
The character development is as lush as the story itself.
Mr. Quincy, who is an absolute delight in all of his persnickety interactions.. and the clear frontrunner for my favorite in the book, despite my fondness for Winnie. Robert is at first, rather decidedly obnoxious, but as I came to understand his situation.. I liked him very much too. There are plenty of other great characters too.. and the villains are indeed dark-natured, just in a palatable way. For the most part.
As Olivia's writing has such a whimsical ambience, she did surprise me a little with a very morbid reveal about two-thirds or so of the way through. She handles it with her usual grace and eloquence, but I was a bit stunned at the horror of what I came to realize.. and I loved that. In fact, I'm still talking about that one incident in the book, around home.
All in all, it was another wonderful story. She just never fails me as an author. I always know I can count on her for a new tale I'm going to obsess over. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, romance, historical fiction, or just all around great storytelling. I can see a potential trigger or two here for some people, so if you have any of those.. just dm me and ask.. or do your research first.
Now I need a signed copy.. and hopefully a pretty special edition down the road. *cough* Kickstarter *cough* Fairyloot *cough*.. someone help me before I choke here..
I've mentioned before that I have discovered an affinity for fantasy stories with performance magic style settings, so when I saw 'Midnight at the HouI've mentioned before that I have discovered an affinity for fantasy stories with performance magic style settings, so when I saw 'Midnight at the Houdini' by Delilah S. Dawson show up in the tour offerings for the month, I jumped at the chance to give it a read.
The concept is clever and I enjoy the ticking time clock on the course of events. It certainly keeps things interesting knowing that there's a finite point not far ahead and a lot for the main character, Anna, to deal with.. if there's hope of resolution.
While the story is good and the characters are likeable, I find for me personally.. the prose to be just a bit simple. I believe the author is just trying to set the tone to match Anna's age, but her voice doesn't change much between the opening pages when she's a mere 10 year old girl, to the core of the story.. six years later. Despite her whirlwind organizational skills, she seems the same in the way she communicates and processes thoughts.
Ironically, this is a young adult story with definitive young adult themes, some of which are relatively dark. But the style of writing just makes it feel younger. I'd still recommend it as a read, but I'd also suggest adjusting your expectations of the way it's told and how things unfold.
Nonetheless, I really enjoyed it. Anna is a sweet, if needy girl and Max is quite disarmingly charming. The dynamic between the others who run the hotel is filled with tension and the place has a lovely old eerie quality to it....more
I honestly do not know where to begin with this book, but to say that I loved it. 'Nectar of the Wicked' by Ella Fields is both shockingly dark at timI honestly do not know where to begin with this book, but to say that I loved it. 'Nectar of the Wicked' by Ella Fields is both shockingly dark at times.. and a delicious romp at others.
This author is one to watch. She's adept at layers. Layers of emotion.. layers of deceit.. layers of conflict.. both internal and external.
While the main character is terribly naive throughout the story, she's depicted in a way that it makes sense. Rather than feeling she's just making dumb decisions and being annoyed by her.. I found myself genuinely sympathizing with her. Hurting for her in ways I did not expect.
Her betrothed.. the wicked fae.. is the darkest shade of morally grey. He's also probably the most seductive, domineering male character I've read in years. Even when he's being an outright beast, it's no wonder she struggles to defy him properly.
The story is heavily plot driven with plenty of context as to how and why everyone has found themselves at the point they're at in the tale. There is deep character development.. relationship development.. and not a moment of downtime. I did not want to stop reading this book, even when I had things I needed to do.
Not only does the author write great story, she also writes elaborate steamy scenes. Nothing is awkward in the dynamic between her characters that isn't plainly meant to be. It doesn't matter if the scene is days long or just a few minutes in story time, it never becomes boring. There is passion and connection.. for better or worse. There is visceral spice and moments of something suspiciously close to tenderness. Even her dialogue is great and that's probably the thing I complain about the most in modern writing.
One of my favorite things about Fields, is she's not afraid to go hard. There were times, one in particular, where I thought someone would be spared something terrible.. and they absolutely were not. In fact, the scene was detailed with exquisite slowness. I was both horrified and completely absorbed. I cannot say it enough.. I love an author who does not hold back.
That being said, you might want to check trigger warnings before picking this up if you are sensitive to violence, consent issues, etc.
Personally, I cannot wait for book two. There is a bit of a cliffhanger, but it's at a reasonable point and I went right to Amazon to order my copy. If you like steamy fantasy, intense enemies to lovers tropes, and twisty storytelling.. give this one a try. You will not be disappointed....more
'To Charm a Dark Prince' by Kathryn Ann Kingsley is a dark fantasy re-telling of the Arthurian legend that focuses primarily on Mordred and Gwen. Othe'To Charm a Dark Prince' by Kathryn Ann Kingsley is a dark fantasy re-telling of the Arthurian legend that focuses primarily on Mordred and Gwen. Other familiar names do make appearances, but the characters are definitely a modern take on their 'could-be' place in Avalon.
Mordred is tasked with a heavy burden, which of course leaves him generally grumpy and overall kind of intriguing. He's powerful and a bit oppressive, which makes him fun to read.. and he's definitely not lacking in the looks department either.
For me, he was the best part of the book. Gwen I found to be just okay, moderately annoying and sometimes coming across rather clueless. The bones of the story are interesting. There are lots of neat concepts strewn throughout the pages, but the writing could use some development.
The book is recommended for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Elisa Kova, and Danielle L. Jensen, but in my opinion it's far more Kova than Maas. If you liked Kova's A Trial of Sorcerers, this one is for you....more
I was a bit slow making my way through this story, but largely that was because initially I was enjoying it so much and I really wanted to absorb everI was a bit slow making my way through this story, but largely that was because initially I was enjoying it so much and I really wanted to absorb every detail.
While the synopsis claims "you're going to hate him until you don't".. for me, it was wrong. I never hated him. He was a bit of a jerk, yes.. but in all the hot ways I enjoy a book's romantic interest.. that don't work out so well in real life.
From the moment Arrow acquires his "disobedient, most valued possession,' he's almost adorably obnoxious and broody. He easily squashes her escape attempts and literally tosses her about, yet all the while I'm over here making grabby hands at him.
She's a brat too, but in mostly endearing ways. Her snarky responses are relatable and funny. For him, she's annoyingly strong-willed and exactly what peaks his interest. Minus the endearing nature and her penchant for throwing herself into trouble over and over, this is pretty much my dynamic in most relationships.. so I get her in ways I don't normally get MCs.
That being said, a little over halfway into the novel I did get a bit tired of her getting herself into the same situations. At some point, you learn a little and at least adapt your approach to things. That's also where reading it really picked up for me because I was no longer as invested as I had been in each moment.
The 'bones' of the tale are all very intriguing. I liked Arrow's backstory, as well as the result that had on his views and behavior. I enjoyed the dynamic between him and the MC.. the constant conflict of emotion.. and the swings between fighting each other and engaging in other more pleasurable past times.
On a side note, when I first read Heart's work about three years ago, I felt like she had a lot of potential and just really needed to get some experience under her belt. She's absolutely done that and her writing has definitely evolved well.
Honestly, though despite my impatience with repeating the damsel-in-distress angle too frequently for my taste, I am now eagerly awaiting book two. If you want a fun, steamy read and enjoy a morally grey love interest, definitely give this one a try....more
06-30: As a huge fan of the fantasy genre in general, if you know me.. you know some of my favorite stories are in the theme of the gods/goddesses or fallen angel/demon tropes. So, I was really excited to give this book a read when I saw the synopsis for it.
The premise is an interesting one with Lucifer on the loose and the Goddess of Death on the hunt for him. I liked the way the cast was built from a variety of tales.. not only gods, goddesses, angels, and demons, but also some fun additions like the Grimm Brothers. Add to that, the way they got their way to the council table.. and it certainly had a lot of potential from the get-go.
There's plenty of action, in fact there are moments where it almost feels like a gauntlet quest, and that plays pretty well here. Fabled characters have been modernized to suit the theme of the story and there's a fair amount of subterfuge seemingly happening at all times as well.
If you like options, there are a couple of romantic interests here.. but while I definitely had my own preference, I wasn't really invested in any of them with the protagonist. All the characters are moderately interesting, they just don't have a ton of depth and I didn't find myself connecting that much.
Nonetheless, it's a fun story.. worth checking out....more
05-09: Jillian and Henry's story is complicated.. and not just because their relationship is being pulled in opposite directions by their recent revelations. They're also smart, messy, complicated individuals who are prone to allowing their feelings to dictate their behaviors.
Both Jillian and Henry are extremely driven, college-bound students. It seems as if they've shared everything since they met, been absolutely in-step with one another all the way. Here those steps are starting to falter.
From a character standpoint, they each are alternately flawed and frequently relatable, if somewhat hypocritical. Unfortunately, this aspect of Jillian's personality is heavily frontloaded in the story, which made me dislike her for awhile.. but as things evened out, I began to root for both of them.
Generally speaking, the characters are diverse and adorable. I liked the supporting cast as much as the leads, sometimes more. I cared about them as people and their struggle resonated with me. It's not always easy to do what's right for oneself without causing collateral damage to those in our immediate circle, try as we might.
Initially this author had a small habit of interjecting really cringe internal monologue in what appeared to be an effort to use niche modern vernacular. While that would be fine for me if the rest of the book's tone matched it, the lines would come out of nowhere after a flowery description or more standard stylings. It just felt, out of sync with the writing as a whole.
I promise you though, it gets better. If it throws you off at the beginning, push on. Nissley does ease up on those kinds of phrases. Once they become fewer and farther between, softer even.. they stop jarring the reader out of the moment.
The story itself is inherently cute, filled with themes of self-discovery, hope, and perseverance. I was pleased to see important topics discussed as well, like the flaw in idealized allyship over the importance of an individual's needs and wishes. I read it through in one shot and enjoyed it immensely.
"We have the destiny to meet across a thousand miles."
05-02: 'Fake Dates and Mooncakes' is a delightfully queer, Not-So-Meet-Cute in the vein of To All the Boys I've Loved Before.
Dylan is a quiet, hard working guy who's struggling to preserve his connection with his late mother and the culture he grew up in, while trying to balance school and helping to save his aunt's Chinese takeout. Surrounded by his loving, supportive family.. for the most part, life is pretty good.
Theo seemingly has it all. He's gorgeous, wealthy, and worldly for his age. There's a kindness to him that Dylan finds almost suspicious. So, when he talks Dylan into being his fake boyfriend for a family wedding, Dylan spends the weekend sort of waiting for the catch and trying to remind himself that none of it's real.
The pair are both lovely and I really enjoyed the slow, inevitable way they were drawn to each other initially. Though they met under strange, even uncomfortable circumstances, I found myself really wanting to see things go well for them.
While Dylan's family is great, Theo's leaves a little something to be desired. For the most part, they're inherently self-absorbed, unpleasant people.. with just a few exceptions.
"I'm not sure which knife on my place mat is for cutting the tension."
The romance was sweet, not overdone at all and I love that Lee did not just jump them right into physical intimacy. I also really enjoyed the glimpses of Dylan's heritage through the proverbs his family had carried with them, the expression of how they conveyed their traditions and feelings through their creation of meals, as well as little anecdotes relating to their spiritual beliefs.
This was a really cute, quick read and I didn't want to put it down. I look forward to seeing more stories from this author and would recommend the book to anyone looking for something relatively light that's filled with hope and joy.
'The Night Mother,' the upcoming release from Bram Stoker Award Winning Author--John Everson, is a welcome trip down"Come on in and sin." Yes, please!
'The Night Mother,' the upcoming release from Bram Stoker Award Winning Author--John Everson, is a welcome trip down the erotic horror genre lane. This standalone follow-up to Everson's 'NightWhere,' is not for the squeamish.
Told in multi-pov, this book tracks the stories of a fallen angel and her lover Mark, his ex Rae and her lover the Midnight Queen, and a dominatrix named Cassie who finds her path merging with them all. The seemingly mythical underground bdsm club is always on the move and the only way in is by invitation, but getting out is even harder once NightWhere takes an interest in someone.
As the events play out, the scenes get more and more gruesome, and you will quickly realize Everson isn't bound by much in the way of limits. There are no safe words here, not for those being admitted beyond the walls of the club.. and not for any of us.
While this is fantastic for me, I know such graphic depictions can be difficult for others, so make sure you know what you're getting into before picking up the book. I discovered erotic horror via the old Hot Blood book series, so if you like those.. rest assured.. you will enjoy this too.
Scenes of violence and kink ramp up considerably over the course of the tale. The first few are relatively sedate in my experience, but they grow in scope and spectrum to a very gruesome, intense level.
Personally, I had a blast reading this book and I applaud Everson for being able to keep up the rather aggressive pacing he set throughout the entire story....more
Many things have been said about 'Den of Vipers' by K.A. Knight. Generally the consensus seems to be that it's the darkest smut people have read beforMany things have been said about 'Den of Vipers' by K.A. Knight. Generally the consensus seems to be that it's the darkest smut people have read before.. and to that I say.. maybe it's time to up your game.
Honestly, while there are some edgy scenes surrounding the demise of people here and there, the more intimate content is not that bad. The author certainly toys with dark possibilities, but she pulls her punches quite a bit.. dispelling the illusion of any real danger often before things get started.
Diesel had a ton of potential, but it was largely wasted due to that sort of.. neutering of his character. Ironically, Ryder gets better and better as the book goes on. I will say, the author gives great backstories. If she were able to properly break into those on a psychological and emotional level, they could be extremely moving. But that's not the point of this book.. and while it's a drawback, it doesn't really affect my opinion of the writing.
Roxy was a disappointment to me. I feel like if she'd been allowed to be the kind of resilient, sarcastic person she was at the core.. instead of being turned into some Harley Quinn caricature , I could have really liked her. She was still okay, but it just could have been so much more than that.
The story is written in multiple POV, but the author lacks the ability to do this well. Her idea of separating her characters comes down to changing their terms of endearment. Unfortunately, they all have the same narrative voice.. with no real distinction whatsoever. Frankly, the book would have benefitted from single or at worst.. dual perspective. Also, not every character in a room has to be addressed in every moment, it just bogs down the progress of the story.
Heaviness. That was a real problem with this book. It's long for a dark romance, I suppose.. but it only feels long because there's so much excess. Just.. a lot of wasted words that make it take so much longer to push yourself through than should be the case.
All that out of the way, I did find it decent. I enjoyed a few of the intimate scenes.. again, giving special mention to Ryder.. who is the only one that really got to loosen up slightly by the end. D should have been my favorite, but both of his big scenes were held back.
I'm glad I got to experience the book that has gotten so much attention in the last couple of years, but now I'm ready for someone to do it right. ...more
After reading the synopsis and seeing some of the more extreme reactions people had to this book, I found myself curious and quickly picked it up. I wAfter reading the synopsis and seeing some of the more extreme reactions people had to this book, I found myself curious and quickly picked it up. I was in the mood for a quick read and this was the perfect choice.
I'd like to rate the book higher, as I loved the concepts behind the Fallen. Likewise, there was really nowhere the author was afraid to go. The scenes were graphic and the 'romance' (which I'm sure some will debate) was definitely dark.
While the ending was predictable, I was pleased with the fact the characters remained largely consistent throughout. Their personalities didn't change to suit a change in plot direction and that's always a relief, since many modern authors tend to sort of force turns in storylines instead of getting to them organically.
My investment in the characters is definitely what kept me reading. That and a hope for a certain kind of collision that came close, but never quite arrived. I don't blame the author for this decision, I suppose the average reader wants to dip their toes in the darkness without becoming too immersed, but I'm always pulling for them to go all in and let me be crushed by the moment.
Likewise, while there is a lot of graphic violence (check your triggers before reading), there's no real nuance to those scenes. We are told there's a certain emotional pitch to what's happening, but we aren't really allowed to experience it. And again, that's probably for the best for most people. Unfortunately for me, it muted the scenes because I'm far more affected by how things feel psychologically than by a bit of physical violence. I blame the current state of visual media. When something is everywhere, we are less sensitive to it.
Transitions are a bit rough. I doubt they'll be that noticeable to most, but they're good, relatively lengthy scenes followed by a brief sprint to the next one. Though I like that the author really settles into those focal points and stays awhile, the pace changes in the middle feel jarring and inexperienced.
Dialogue isn't strong, but that's to be expected in the subgenre. All in all, I still really enjoyed the book and I'm definitely going to continue the series. But be warned, many will probably find the relationships and the content in general to be severe....more
'Hidden' by Shalini Boland is a dual pov, cross century story about a girl and her brother who are just barely getting by in the foster system. Madiso'Hidden' by Shalini Boland is a dual pov, cross century story about a girl and her brother who are just barely getting by in the foster system. Madison is of course, a bit of an outcast. She wears a lot of dark clothing and has little money. Lately, stress also has her acting out at school.
Just when things seem about at their worst, the siblings inherit wealth and a house. As the eldest, she's in charge of their fortune, guided by a solicitor representing the estate of their ancestors. But there's always a catch.
Alexandre is a feisty Frenchman who always seems to find himself in trouble. Also the eldest of his family, he's expected to set a good example and maintain a good reputation for his own siblings as they come into their own. Easier said than done.
After upsetting another group of nobles, he and his family leave town for a bit on the trip of a lifetime. Off to Turkey on a career making archaelogical expedition, his sister doesn't even want to go. She finds the entire idea off-putting and boring, but has no choice other than to accompany them.
What I love about this tale is the origin story for the vampires. It's uncommon to see authors dig deep (no pun intended) for their characters turning points, but Boland does this in a way that's almost reminiscent of the vampire queen herself, Anne Rice.
Boland excels at the backstory, the social structure of the world she builds for that time, and the dialogue is well-done. Even Madison and Ben's backstory is handled pretty well. I find them to be less interesting characters in general, but largely because they are mostly stereotypes. They're still likable and you want to see them succeed.
I enjoyed the way the two timelines were written, with the dual-narrations coinciding with each other.. drawing closer and closer until they merged. It's at this point I think the story struggled a little, however.
Somewhere, Alexander's personality got lost when he was put in the modern setting. Dialogue didn't mesh well and chemistry could have been better between the pair. Madison's reactions flipped in moments, in ways that didn't feel authentic.
Nonetheless, I am looking forward to trying book two. It's possible that since this is just the first in the series, Boland hadn't fully settled into her groove yet and as it had a ton of potential, I'm hopeful the improvements will show themselves there.
Still, it was a solid enough read if you don't mind a slow pace. I think Alex could be lovely....more
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