"What they say: call me. What they mean: it's your responsibility to let me know when I have to care."
A raw look at grief and guilt and generational tr
"What they say: call me. What they mean: it's your responsibility to let me know when I have to care."
A raw look at grief and guilt and generational trauma. The book is also a unique perspective on being Mexican American where you can be both too Mexican and not Mexican enough.
I thought this was very well done and poignant, even it was maybe operating on so many levels that it was a bit too smart for me.
Does the dog die?: (view spoiler)[So like... that's a matter of perspective and reality, I guess? Sorta yes, then it's alive again. But also I choose to believe no. Just know that it does emotionally tug on your heartstrings initially without being overly drawn out and explicit, but then turns into new horror? (hide spoiler)]...more
This was cute, but I think I have a harder time believing friends-to-lovers in general. The amount of time pining is too long and awkward, the leap frThis was cute, but I think I have a harder time believing friends-to-lovers in general. The amount of time pining is too long and awkward, the leap from friends to something more too sudden.
What if Teeth (2007 film) but the main character was Poison Ivy? ------------------------- I mostly have good things to say about this one, though it's What if Teeth (2007 film) but the main character was Poison Ivy? ------------------------- I mostly have good things to say about this one, though it's certainly not without its faults. And I would recommend it overall if you enjoy a good-for-her or I-support-women's-wrongs type of book.
World-building: The world of The Bane Witch is littered with terrible men. From the outset it was almost a little too over the top how villainous they are, but simultaneously I can't say I haven't seen as bad or worse make the news. Even if the author hadn't found a way to justify it in the universe of the book I think it'd be a bit convenient though still within the realm of believable. But honestly her explanation makes it a solid non-issue for me.
The magic system and lore are explained enough to pique my curiosity and let my imagination run, but likewise not overly explained and hampered by rules that I feel it sets up too many plotholes. It's probably one of the strongest elements of the book and what I'll be thinking about when I remember it.
The Writing: I'm honestly a little surprised to learn this is the author's 4th book, but I guess that makes sense. I thought it was fairly polished for a debut but still prone to some issues; knowing it's not a debut suddenly clicks.
There's definitely an overabundance of dialogue here, and often times a character can monologue for what feels like an unnatural amount of time. The biggest offenders are when they're delivering exposition.
Most of my complaints in the writing are minor, except for one issue I'll complain about in regards to the pacing. Overall it's just okay.
The Characters: There are some truly interesting women in this book-- enigmatic and mysterious, stunning and confident, deadly. But the men? Not so much. Any of the men in this are lucky to maintain internal consistency all the way to the end, since many of them are prone to following rather illogical steps as and when the story wants them to. Swings and roundabouts, innit?
The Pacing: My number one biggest critique is that the pacing felt off. For most of the book I felt like everything was fine, then suddenly at the climax it went all wrong. Literally at the crescendo of the climax -what we'd been building up to for most of the story- a deus ex machina drops in to cut it off prematurely. I seriously went back and read those pages 3x because I could not for the life of me figure out what was happening. One moment there were two characters right on top of each other, then suddenly someone appears out of nowhere and not only does one of the OG characters disappear, but no one comments on it? Was I missing whole ass paragraphs?
But even before that egregious moment, I felt my interest waning as the climax got started. I think I didn't even touch the book for a day or two because I didn't like how it was going and lost interest in continuing. And to me, losing the reader right at the most critical moment isn't a great sign. This could've easily used another 30-50 pages.
Catharsis?: Ultimately things play out and wrap up pretty neatly. There are few dangling plotlines and all of the major ones have been tied up. I think a lot of it rushed by too quickly to give me a feeling of deep satisfaction, but I likewise won't be dwelling on missed opportunities.
edit: okay, tiny caveat. I do regret that this book is so very cis and so very hetero and invested in the patriarchy that there are missed opportunities for queerness. Star Eater has a similar women-with-power type of deal, they even reproduce their line similarly, but an inevitable outcome of that is that several of the women will form relationships together...
Overall: I really, really vibed with the first 70% or so, and was already telling a few friends that I think they'll like this book. I've got some issues with the last 30% where it feels like the novel lost some of its laser focus, but not enough that I don't still think the overall experience was worthwhile.
It's not the most realistic, and it's certainly not interested in grappling with the biggest criticisms of its thesis-- just a fun little bit of vengeful escapism.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for granting me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
Well, I guess I kinda loved this. Started it this morning, finished it this afternoon. I think it was exactly the sort of thing I needed right now.
TheWell, I guess I kinda loved this. Started it this morning, finished it this afternoon. I think it was exactly the sort of thing I needed right now.
Their banter and their chemistry is fantastic, and the little character growth and personal things that they go through outside of their relationship were also perfectly done. Always, always sweet, but never sickly.
I'm definitely down to read the rest of the series!...more
edit 3/26/25: Went to an author event last night and it sounds like 1. she's already written books 2 & 3 2. she has plans for at least a 6 book series oedit 3/26/25: Went to an author event last night and it sounds like 1. she's already written books 2 & 3 2. she has plans for at least a 6 book series of these 3. book 2, Nobody's Baby: "a wild baby appears!" -------------------------------------- This was such a fun and promising start to a new series!
TL;DR-- I think it was fun, the mystery was satisfying, the scifi elements were essential, the main character has some good old lady politeness/sassiness, and the ship is drunk ...more
This is very subdued and haunting, equal parts earnest and traumatic.
The main character has lead a difficult life, suffering child abuse that resultedThis is very subdued and haunting, equal parts earnest and traumatic.
The main character has lead a difficult life, suffering child abuse that resulted in neglect, low confidence, and food insecurity among other things. She has a ghost companion and her parent uses this to host seances and exploit her condition to make money, though always keeping the girl impoverished. Until one day a woman comes and, seeing a similar spirit, ferries her away.
The book is quite beautiful but mournful and melancholic in tone. It's full of hurt people who either lash out or form very dependent relationship bonds as they claw for some speck of affection in a harsh world.
It's also told (sort of) in two timelines as one of the main characters is recounting the series of events, and then sometimes being interrogated as a suspect in a murder. I'm not 100% sold on the need to split it up rather than just let the story play out, but I suppose it does re-frame the story for the reader and occasionally call into question how reliable the narrator is. Ymmv on this element.
The horror is slow and atmospheric with a mounting unease/dread, rather than an overly gory/descriptive kind of horror. There are still gruesome moments scattered throughout, but it's mostly about the rising tension leading to the climax.
Overall I think it's haunting but quite hopeful, and definitely worth the read....more
I would recommend this to fans of Stranger Things, hear me out: - there's a mom looking for her missing son, and going to insane lengths to find him (pI would recommend this to fans of Stranger Things, hear me out: - there's a mom looking for her missing son, and going to insane lengths to find him (perhaps even communicating beyond our plane of existence) - there's a single policeman who believes her - the policeman is also kinda secretly adopting a daughter that's somehow tangentially involved in that whole plot that's going on ----------------------------------- I really freaking liked this. This was a perfect spooky season read. 4.5/5
In the tradition of Burke & Hare, this story follows unscrupulous doctors blinded by their ambitions and need for constant bodies to further their careers and one mother who demands justice for her son. And if the police can't help her then she'll take matters into her own hands.
Normally I prefer my fiction to be speculative in nature, but I didn't need that at all here. (Granted, there's a slight magical realism/maybe speculative elements, but it's very, very minor so as to basically be inconsequential.) This captivated me from the start. The pacing and tension and raw emotion and vengeance were excellently portrayed.
I also quite liked the different POVs that we got that helped to round out the characters, round out the knowledge the reader is privy to, and truly cement what a despicable villain there was.
Overall I highly recommend this, especially around Halloween (which also gets a passing mention in the book!)
Audiobook Notes: Consider me an instant fan of Cathleen McCarron. From the opening paragraph I already rushed to tell my friends how immediately in love I was with the narrator's accent. She has a lovely voice to listen to and did a fantastic job portraying the text. 10/10
Not for Jeeps: (view spoiler)[Her son is dying of fever at the start of the book and he only has a limited amount of time left to live anyway. His murder is inferred but fully carried out off page. This is all basically in the synopsis anyway. No other child deaths, one child endangerment (but she's totally fine). (hide spoiler)]...more
"I believed there must be things that separated human from both animal and monster, and that to be human, you had to live those things. That to be
"I believed there must be things that separated human from both animal and monster, and that to be human, you had to live those things. That to be human is an active thing and that you had to wake up every morning and choose it. To not let life make you into prey."
I wasn't sure what to think of this book when I first started reading it at the tail end of Nov and it was oh so very Western. So I put it on pause until I could come back to it with the right expectations and a readiness to meet the book where it's at.
And boy howdy! I'm glad I came back it because I really did love it. A story of two brothers -twins- on the run for their lives against a stacked deck and a world more vast and unfathomable than they'd ever dreamt.
Common Premee themes of Eldritch horrors and fairytales that fade into myth, of the unfairness and futility of conflict, of the human drive to persist... all present and accounted for. And the occasional lovely or relatable piece of prose.
"To look at him in the grey light of dawn pained me. Not only because he was my heart walking around (who let him do that?) but because he looked so skinny and awful and ragged, like a barn cat with mange, so I knew I must look like that too."
The Writing: Within the first page or 5 of this I was really feeling the promise. Jenny is just so voicey in a way thMan, I'm conflicted on this. 3.5/5
The Writing: Within the first page or 5 of this I was really feeling the promise. Jenny is just so voicey in a way that I really love. And after a year of rather lackluster releases, it was amazing to read a debut that's so well composed!
The Characters: What O'Neill clearly loves and held in mind first and foremost was the characters. And primarily Jenny, at that. This is a character-driven story and if you don't like the characters and their banter, I'm afraid this won't be the book for you. I truly believe that the author had these characters in mind and crafted a janky story around them to bring them to the page.
Jenny's primary traits are pettiness and curiosity. Imagine Ariel from The Little Mermaid with all her whozits and whatsits... but Jenny has very sharp teeth, a clean cave, and an immaculate collection of skulls. She's not afraid to hold onto a grudge and may even do so with glee.
I think Brackus and Temperance had a lot more characterization in the beginning of the novel when there were moments of playfulness and banter, but were reduced more and more down to just 'hero' or 'martyr' or 'party filler' as the quest went on.
The Plot: What really made me stall out on reading this was when I realized it was just a series of fetch quests for a MacGuffin. That's one of my least favourite tropes in fiction, it makes me want to tear my hair out in video games, and I just wasn't ready to sit through the futility here. In all likeliness, your tolerance is higher than mine (it's hard to get lower, honestly) so this may not be an issue for you.
I also often felt like Jenny was clearly the main character, but her companions weren't given enough to do during their quests. Each one was only accomplished because of Jenny. And ultimately that's not as satisfying for me, especially when the author is trying to create a found family and show how they're stronger together, and when it's repetitive over multiple tasks.
Pacing: The beginning of this is definitely more on the cozy end with low stakes and several chapters that are just hanging out and full of banter. But by the end the chapters have much higher stakes and almost no banter whatsoever.
Again, I think this is a debut issue and something that will improve in her future books. But I personally preferred the beginning and didn't feel like the high stakes were paid off enough to forgive the exclusion of banter.
The Setting: Alright, this one's definitely on me. I had an initial inclination of the type of setting/inspiration this might draw from, but brushed it off and was happy when it seemed to be going in a different direction. I was less happy when it seemed to be focused on witch trials and evil preachers, but thankfully that's not a huge percentage of the book.
Unfortunately the reveal at the end of the book proved my initial inclination to be accurate, and I found that wildly disappointing.
Note: I don't like to spoil these sorts of details in case astute readers like to pick up on it themselves, but if you're curious what I don't vibe with and hoped wouldn't be the ultimate direction of the novel, it's (SPOILER) (view spoiler)[Arthurian/Camelot/Lady in the Lake derivative stories (hide spoiler)].
Overall: So I had a real blast in the first 25%-30% of the novel, then a real lack of desire to go on which I eventually persevered through, and finally more of a whimper of an ending. But man, that beginning was such a banger for me and even made me consider creating fanart! There are some bits I really loved and can picture so vividly.
So overall I was initially excited to preorder, then ultimately not in love enough to add it to my personal library. But still happy to have read it.
The story is disjointed and I'm not sure how cohesive it is by the end. But it's fairly solid for a debut and I'm interested to see what this author comes out with next.
Does the dog die?: (view spoiler)[Yes and no? Because magic. Basically he is a very brave boy and puts up a good fight, but does get stabbed through the chest. Then the magic of the Wild Hunt calls him away where, presumably, the high fae can magically keep him alive as they have for centuries. But he does get struck and his blood is left behind and we never get confirmation that he's okay. (hide spoiler)]
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for granting me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
Say hello to one of my new favourite books: an early "Best of 2025" contender and the start of a new Epic Fantasy series that will appeal to a wide raSay hello to one of my new favourite books: an early "Best of 2025" contender and the start of a new Epic Fantasy series that will appeal to a wide range of folks!
Please forgive me while I absolutely gush.
From the earliest chapters I could feel myself getting entirely hooked-- vividly picturing what was happening, the characters feeling real and full and lived in, the world immense and brimming with history & character, the stakes already so high... And that's not even when the main story starts! A little taste from eight years before our true plot, but already so rich.
So why should you pick this up? Why will so many folks find something worthwhile in this story?
- The World-Building: this is a world that's clearly been fleshed out with a history and a present and a future that extends far beyond what we see on page. from famous poets to historic battles, from colorful fashions to crumbling cities, from enigmatic leaders to the lowliest orphans... the whole book is stuffed full of details to pick up on and teasers of more to come
- The Mythology: there are 8 distinct beings of myth who embody certain attributes and ideals, and most members of the society are pledged to one of the 8 factions who follow them. it added a fun flavor and character dynamics as they follow their faction's guiding principles and embody their defining characteristics
- The Characters: these are fully fleshed out characters with virtues as well as flaws, from the stoic to the silly. I'm not much of a character-driven reader, but I immediately loved so many of them from even their initial introduction, and it's always so noteworthy and special when an author accomplishes that. and omg the animal companions!!! I loved them all from the moment they were introduced and will go to war for them. [image]
- The Murder Mystery: who doesn't love a good ticking clock and a field full of suspects with motives? who doesn't love snooping through their rooms and uncovering the secrets they'd rather keep hidden? Hodgson uses this element to excellent effect, building tension and introducing interesting scenes that couldn't otherwise take place in an internally consistent way
- The Competition: trials/competitions/games are such a staple trope for a reason-- they're a great way to ratchet up the stakes and pit characters head to head. I loved the cleverness of these trials and that our main character wasn't always over-prepared. I think it's also really rare for trials to be approached with such sideways logic, which kept them feeling fresh and original instead of stale and repetitive
- The Writing: there's a wry humor in the narration style that I absolutely adore (and at the risk of setting expectations too high, very much reminds me of Tamsyn Muir's style). I think that the lens through which the story is told is quite clever and allows for some really interesting perspectives. and while we're talking high, high stakes and the end of the world quite often, the narration and several of the characters are quite humorous and lend a much needed levity. for every moment with a serious and efficient warrior there's a lazy and comical jokester
tiny writing style spoiler of the wry, Muir-esque humor inherent in the narration:(view spoiler)[
Shal limped back to the line, smoothing his beard. "What's wrong, what's happened?" "Neema's investigating [person]'s murder. Katsan's furious," Tala summarized. "I'm not furious," Katsan said, furious.
- The Twists: with as many books as I've read, I tend to be fairly good at spotting patterns and predicting outcomes. but I'd be lying if I didn't say the author managed to pull a lil switcheroo on me a few times. there are some fantastic twists in this which really made the story feel original and kept me on my toes. obviously your mileage may vary, but I absolutely loved it.
Overall this truly delivered on all my expectations and despite the 700 pages, I never felt it was a slog or a chore. Cannot wait for more in this series and so excited to start 2025 with a bang!
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions and endless whinging while I wait for the sequel are my own....more
Note: I listened to the audiobook and I think they used AI for the titles in the chapter names (eg The Wish Branch instead of The Wish Bridge, which INote: I listened to the audiobook and I think they used AI for the titles in the chapter names (eg The Wish Branch instead of The Wish Bridge, which I verified in the sample available free on Amazon) so apologies if I got these names wrong. Maybe they actually really did mean Sentual instead of Sensual.
stories with '*' are ones I liked and were worth the read
*The Wish Bridge*-- A story about the woman (god? entity?) who has to grant people wishes who manage to find her bridge, and the adorably unordinary man who finds her repeatedly.
This was light and cute and funny, very dissimilar to the denser, more pretentious fare I'm used to from this author. I think I'll keep thinking about this one and will smile every time.
The Audit-- Wild how I immediately recognized this as the narrator of Tristan in The Atlas Six lmao. He's got a significantly higher speed than most narrators, so ymmv.
Hmm. This is a story about a man who has recently come into a lot of money, suffers from analysis paralysis over what to do with it, and maybe falls in love with an agoraphobic man?
Not gonna lie, I didn't quite understand this one.
*Sucker for Pain*-- Witches and vampires and toxic relationships, oh my! A poor, young mortal girl becomes the pet of a cruel, witch family. Explores themes of love and trauma and freedom.
I actually quite liked this one and think that, so far, it's the one I could most easily pick out as Olivie Blake's.
*The Animation Games*-- A premature death with a supernatural twist allows an engaged couple to haunt and take turns killing each other for eternity.
A very Olivie Blake take on life and death and fate and love. Kinda fun, though.
The House-- Not even a story, it's only 5m long. I kinda feel like it's a metaphor someone would use as a toast at a wedding?
To Make a Man-- A Cassandra retelling that's very obviously a Cassandra retelling.
What I least liked about it is that it's a short story already, but it first says everything from his POV, then repeats the WHOLE story from her POV. My memory is good enough to remember 15min ago, I didn't need it repeated word for word.
Preexisting Condition-- A resurrected man grapples with his love, then hate, then devotion to the one who brought him back.
The voice is a little quirky and a little naive, but I'm trying to write reviews as I go and it took a good deal to jog my memory even though I only read 2 additional stories after finishing this one, so I can't say it's very memorable or engaging.
Monster Love-- This one's weird. Real weird. And repetitive. Repetitive af. It would probably behoove me to repeat at least one more time. Because it says the same thing. Over and over again, it's the same.
I'm sure there's a reason, I just don't know what that reason is.
How to Dispel Friends and Curse People-- This one's kinda quirky, an entity who's smitten with a witch. It could be charming if there was something more to it, but it also kinda feels like like the voice of a simple computer program? idk.
Fates and Consequences-- So the premise of this was pretty fun: guy who is destined to experience tragedy and turn that pain into a cult + becoming a serial killer dies before that destiny is realized. He was generally a decent, good guy but was destined to go to hell, so that's where he ends up anyway.
But the actual story itself? Lacking. There's a sort of inevitability of fate tone, but also no real development of character or setting or plot that I can really sink my teeth into. Hades and Persephone are there, but it's not really a retelling.
Sous-vide-- I don't get it. I don't even get it enough to synopsis and I don't want to read it again. I think the narration called her a whore/slut a lot?
Meh.
Sensual Tales for Carnal Pleasures-- This is the third Greek myth retelling (or at least with the flavor and cameos of Greek figures) in this anthology. This time is Noctus.
It has the feeling of fated love but no real characterization between the leads, so I both don't know who they are nor what they see in each other, so it's pretty meaningless to me.
*Chaos Theory*-- The longest story in here by a wide margin.
This one has so many POVs and they all get introduced in a rather random manner before the plot kicks in. I was really confused and considering DNFing until it finally started the plot, and then I was very into it. This is a multi-verse story with a lot of different versions of one person (including one that's a cat) who have to kill someone in their lives because an assassin version of them killed him in her universe.
Fun, weird, sometimes pretty melancholy, sometimes silly.
A Year in January-- This was extra confusing because the first person character talks about having a clitoris and searching for only AFAB roommates but is also voiced by a male voice actor? No mentions of the character being trans that I noted.
The story of a roommate who's kinda alien and doesn't understand humans and having to teach her things....more
ughhh this was so good! How am I supposed to wait for the next one?!
Sorcery and Small Magics is a debut that's small-scale and focuses on two characteughhh this was so good! How am I supposed to wait for the next one?!
Sorcery and Small Magics is a debut that's small-scale and focuses on two characters and the curse that's keeping them together. It's in first person POV from Leo, who is a spell writer, as he has to work with his nemesis Grimm, a spell caster. Despite never getting along, they're forced to work together for a class and there's a miscommunication that results in a powerful spell being cast that... well, it could've gone better.
The Characters: This is a very character-driven story and Leo + Grimm will be the make it or break it point for if you end up liking it. Particularly Leo, since it's told from his POV. Leo is privileged and powerful and ridiculously gifted... but refuses to use high magics. Instead he limits himself to creating cantrips and small, controllable spells while also building a reputation as a frivolous partyer-- all to mask the deep well of power he has access to but is too frightened to use.
Grimm comes from the opposite, as he grew up in an impoverished area where your occupation is a choice made out of necessity rather than desire. He's incredibly disciplined and no-nonsense, and despite being very good at what he does, his own magic also comes with weaknesses.
When forced to work together, they discover that they have more in common than they ever thought, and that their magics complement each other quite well.
The Romance: It's a slow-burn, grumpy x sunshine, nuisances-to-lovers, forced proximity and I thought it was executed very well. I enjoyed seeing how their affection grew over time, even while they refused to admit it. I'm not sure what the special ingredient is that makes me buy into a romance, but I can say that this one had me grinning to myself and feeling all melty/gooey inside. It doesn't overrun or overshadow the story, so I wouldn't be overly concerned if you're not very into romance.
The World-building: The glimpses we get into this world are charming at every turn. There's some super lovable monsters that behave like giant, deadly, playful puppies; there are magical griffin feathers; there are towers built of enchantment with rooms that are always serving your favourite meal or doors with untold mysteries behind them.
A (threatening) aside: If the sequels don't include more interactions with one particular side character and their bizarre monstrous pet, I'll be very cross!!
The Magic System: In this world, magic essentially requires two people: a writer and a caster. Most casters cannot write their own spells, and most writers cannot cast magic. There are low level spells that are fairly simple, and there are high level spells that can also have an associated cost (usually energy/stamina).
And I won't spoil more than that, because I think it's fun to learn with the characters, but it also includes new magic. The kind that isn't taught in schools. Something that is powerful but not understood, that can carry both great opportunity and significant consequences. I absolutely love when magic systems are expanded throughout the story, so I honestly can't wait to see how it's further built upon in future installments.
Every time I remember the series name, I get very excited to see where this is going.
Overall: This was utterly delightful and charming from beginning to end. I found it well-written and fleshed out. It doesn't have an overabundance of explanation and details, but nor does it have a litany of plotholes. Currently it has a 4.43 rating on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ; and while I know it will go down once it's out of the ARC phase, I think it will ultimately be enjoyable for a large audience of people and remain at the very least ~4.
Audiobook Notes: The narrator is British and he does a really good job translating the text. I always found his narration to be engaging and properly emotive, without taking center stage over the text. He doesn't do a lot to differentiate the characters, but I would still highly rank him among all male narrators I've listened to.
Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for granting me an audio ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
I did not expect to like this as much as I did. I kinda... accidentally picked up the prequel earlier today? And tRead for the Romance Readathon 2024.
I did not expect to like this as much as I did. I kinda... accidentally picked up the prequel earlier today? And then ended up reading the whole thing so figured why not the novel too?
And I'm not really into this sort of book, and fully expected to nope out early in, but found myself weirdly invested in these dummies and their mutual, pent-up, fifteen years worth of pining. (Plus there was at least one scene where I found myself grinning uncontrollably at my computer the whole way through, like a loon)
Super cute. The spice was spicing, the family was adorable -the office jerk and the scene where literally everyone clapped I could've done without- but otherwise this was a great escape and I'd very recommend it....more
I absolutely loved the tone and relatability of the main character in this funky little surreal horror novella. It's very voicey and manages WHIPLASH.
I absolutely loved the tone and relatability of the main character in this funky little surreal horror novella. It's very voicey and manages to offer decent commentary on broken families that have experienced trauma, shitty men who make dating awful, and the horrors of healthcare (particularly as a woman)-- it actually really reminded me of Rachel Harrison's style. Honestly as soon as it started, it was giving 5/5 energy!
But...
Does the ~dog die?: (view spoiler)[WHY DID THEY HAVE TO KILL SO MANY CATS?! Like sure, men suck, kill the men. But the poor little kitties? (hide spoiler)]...more
Last year I really loved The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love for its obvious glee and humor, picking apart romance tropes and turning them on theiLast year I really loved The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love for its obvious glee and humor, picking apart romance tropes and turning them on their heads, while inventing characters to cheekily wink at the reader in a nearly fourth-wall breaking way.
Lemming also understood the assignment. (and then she made it smuttier)
I love that the MC is basically a research biologist who can question the incongruences of this world, I love the super confident lion, I love the explanations for this bonkers world and the setup between the characters. Intern is really the only thing that fills me with meh; everything else was so much fun.
Cannot wait for more sequels with hilarious, long titles and beautiful pop fun covers! And more Tamagotchis! ...more
This worked super well for me and is a super strong 4, maybe even a 4.5/5. Though honestly I shouldn't be surprised given my past love for Slatter's wThis worked super well for me and is a super strong 4, maybe even a 4.5/5. Though honestly I shouldn't be surprised given my past love for Slatter's works and the strong Buffy vibes present in this installment.
So while you can definitely read this as a standalone, I kinda consider this like The Avengers of the Sourdough Universe. All our characters from the previous three novels are meeting up and contributing to the success of this worldwide threat. You don't need the previous novels, but it does enhance the experience and prevents spoiling the conclusion of all the prior books.
Otherwise this is very on theme with the other books in the series. It's a gothic, dark fairytale sort of world where the humans can be just as treacherous as the various spooks and beasties. And each book is lead by a plucky, stubborn, highly effective young woman who somehow manages to find love and found family along the way.
The lore specific to this universe is really expanded on in this novel in ways that delight me and tickle my brain, and as always I love how Slatter incorporates and puts a twist on the mythical creatures she uses.
Does the horse die?: (view spoiler)[Ned the Nondescript is miraculously lucky. The MC even comments on his nine lives. So while he's often left to his own and could likely perish, the little bugger never even receives a scratch. Not even an itch. (hide spoiler)]
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan for providing me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Not for Jeeps: (view spoiler)[The plot revolves around the MC's stillborn baby brother, so it's brought up a lot. He was born of a vampiric union and was born more dead than alive. (hide spoiler)] ---------------------------------------------- OG review: "A tale of vampires, assassins, ancient witches and broken promises."
Somehow I thought that The Briar Book of the Dead would be vampires and then it wasn't and I couldn't find the source anymore. Preserving this segment of the synopsis to maintain my sanity later if this book also proves not to have vampires ...more
Me, My Shelf, & I
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Books:
adult
(493)
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