[4.5 stars] Such a thought-provoking and nuanced little gem. I ended up reading it across two sittings (damn sleep getting in the way) and I had no id[4.5 stars] Such a thought-provoking and nuanced little gem. I ended up reading it across two sittings (damn sleep getting in the way) and I had no idea where things were going to go, but I enjoyed every step of the ride.
The novel follows a narrator who is destined for life imprisonment after he commits an unknown crime. He escapes to a remote island where he eventually encounters mysterious inhabitants, and he grows infatuated with a particular woman in the community. As he observes the colony, he notices oddities in their behaviors and seeks to unravel the mystery behind their origins.
I didn't expect the direction this ended up going, but I really enjoyed the philosophical questions it asked about experimentation, consent, consciousness, and existence. Commenting any more would likely lead into spoiler territory - but it's a really interesting and creative concept. All the initially ambiguous phenomena are fully explained by the conclusion of the novel, which felt satisfying and saved me from having to revisit earlier scenes. The ending is absolutely perfect - no notes.
If you enjoyed Piranesi or the TV show LOST, I think those are the closest comparable titles I can offer. I'd highly recommend this one, and think it would be especially good for a book club or discussion to dissect further....more
I liked this quite a bit - definitely close to Mistborn in terms of enjoyment for me! Vivenna might be one of my favorite Cosmere characters to date. I liked this quite a bit - definitely close to Mistborn in terms of enjoyment for me! Vivenna might be one of my favorite Cosmere characters to date. I loved her arc and the gradual yet effective changes her character went through. The other perspectives were solid, though Siri's chapters grew a bit repetitive in the middle half of the book.
The book establishes a unique magic system that is the foundation for the political turmoil at the heart of the book. The concept of breaths as currency is interesting, and it leads to some fairly interesting social commentary you don't always find in fantasy. The explanation of certain aspects of the magic system could have used some cleaning up (it gets a bit info-dumpy at times), but I enjoyed seeing the creative uses of it throughout. The twists and reveals are GOOD.
I have mixed feelings about the ending - I think everything comes together satisfyingly at the climax, but the resolution feels a bit too speedy for a book that is otherwise fairly slow and intentional with its pacing. I have many questions and there are several loose ends that feel unfulfilling. I can see why the book wouldn't land for all fantasy fans since it touches on several tropes without committing to a single one. It has action, but less than what you might initially expect. Since we're (eventually?) getting a sequel to this I can't complain too much, but that seems far out.
Overall, I enjoyed this for what it was. I had a great time with the characters and I'm always a fan of slow-burn, politically-driven fantasy novels. What's holding this back for me is ultimately that it feels a tiny bit like a set-up novel more than a complete standalone story in its own right. If you've already invested (ha) in the Cosmere I think this is another good entry, but as a first jump into Sanderson I'm not sure I'd recommend it!
Note: I haven't read any of the Stormlight Archives at the time I'm writing this, so some of these critiques may change!...more
Unfortunately marking this as a DNF at just over the 50% mark. This has a very historically accurate and moving depiction of anti-black racism, but unUnfortunately marking this as a DNF at just over the 50% mark. This has a very historically accurate and moving depiction of anti-black racism, but unfortunately, the storytelling is not doing it for me. It is incredibly slow and Gloria's perspective feels like it is adding so much unnecessary bloat to the book. After 300 pages not enough has happened for me to be invested, and I don't see myself giving this more than 3 stars even if I finish.
I don't think this is a bad book, but the nearly 600-page count feels SO unnecessary. ...more
Hungerstone is marketed as a spin on Carmila but is missing much of the sapphic elements and vampirism that made the original book so revolutionary. THungerstone is marketed as a spin on Carmila but is missing much of the sapphic elements and vampirism that made the original book so revolutionary. There's no denying Dunn is a talented writer - the gothic atmosphere is superbly crafted and she uses language to perfectly encapsulate desire and hunger. Unfortunately, a collection of well-written sentences does not constitute a good book.
Hungerstone struggles to find its footing with Lenore's backstory and ultimately never resolves itself. Glimpses into her past are repetitive yet vague, and while she repeatedly expresses the baggage and trauma she carries, the explanation of it is muddled at best. Carmila herself is intended to be an enigmatic and mysterious presence that acts as her catalyst for change, but her presence is glaringly one-dimensional throughout the book. Lenore's story is hardly compelling when everyone around her is a caricaturized villain. Her rebellion doesn't feel like anything more than an inevitability, and it lacks the satisfaction of a slow-burn revenge story. While there is a handful of sapphic moments, it feels more like a story of obsession with hints of vampirism more than I expected.
The climax of the book happens quickly and the drastic changes Lenore undergoes feel so sudden given the unbearably slow build up. Her commentary about revenge and hunger feels devoid of nuance and subtlety. Every commentary the book has to offer is explicitly outlined and repeated, and I think it does a disservice to the possibilities a re-telling could have offered.
I'm critical of any retelling because it takes a lot to keep a classic story fresh and offer a new perspective. While Hungerstone adds in themes of industrialization and the historical use of women as nothing more than child-bearers, it doesn't subvert any expectations. The final third required so much suspension of belief just to end up at a predictable and boring conclusion.
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC - sorry I did not enjoy it more!...more
[3.5 stars] The first half of this was an undeniable five stars. Beautiful storytelling that ebbs and flows between hope and despair. While I'm seldom[3.5 stars] The first half of this was an undeniable five stars. Beautiful storytelling that ebbs and flows between hope and despair. While I'm seldom a fan of historical fiction, the build-up to World War 1 interspersed with newspaper articles referencing real events and the shifting perspectives of the young men was well done.
Where this suffers is in the twist (which I obviously can't talk about due to spoilers) - which uses a trope I despise. It ruins a lot of the suspense and feels glaringly out of place in the novel. I also didn't care for the secondary characters, who are by design used as nothing more than cannon fodder to emphasize the brutality of war continually. While I get what Winn was going for, it doesn't make the most compelling story. Relationships between characters get increasingly muddled and it's easy to mistake one character for another. The novel's second half was much weaker than the first for me, ultimately preventing this from getting a higher rating.
Spoiler warning:
I also struggled with (view spoiler)[ the reception of Ellison's and Gaunt's relationship by their family and friends. While I do appreciate the happy ending for them, it again feels out of place to have minimal pushback in a society that is by and large intensely homophobic. It feels a bit gimmicky to provide a happy ending. (hide spoiler)]
Overall, a solid book I'd recommend to fans of Swimming in the Dark. For a historical fiction, it kept my attention which is quite impressive. Curious to see what Winn writes next and how her writing evolves. ...more
[3.5 stars] Were you silent, or silenced? I was silenced. I tried to review this when I finished it but Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ temporarily disabled reviews after i[3.5 stars] Were you silent, or silenced? I was silenced. I tried to review this when I finished it but Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ temporarily disabled reviews after it won The Booker Prize. And I hate writing reviews weeks later, but here we are!
I enjoyed Orbital's limited setting and philosophizing about the beauty of our world, space, climate change, and geography. It's a book that leaves you thinking and reflecting long after you've completed it. I would HIGHLY recommend it via audio, as it feels like a planetarium show and brings back that childlike wonder about science and technology.
Orbital is a unique book in that it's not really about the characters we follow nor does it have a distinctive plot. I'd argue the protagonist is the Earth itself and how humanity has continuously taken it for granted. It's easy to ignore the natural beauty of our world, so by setting the novel from space Harvey does an excellent job dismantling our fixation with arbitrary concepts like borders and countries and focusing on universal things like wildlife, weather, and change.
My only real critique of the book is it feels a tiny bit repetitive and the ending didn't entirely make sense to me (I definitely want to revisit it, but if you have thoughts I'd love to hear them). Nonetheless, a really interesting read I'd recommend everyone at least give an attempt at reading just to appreciate what we often take for granted. The storytelling reminds me a lot of The Performance and Headshot if you're looking for comparable titles!...more
This was solid - I think my enjoyment was impacted by how long it took me to read this given how hectic life has been. The four distinct perspectives This was solid - I think my enjoyment was impacted by how long it took me to read this given how hectic life has been. The four distinct perspectives felt a bit superfluous at times, and there was not as much overlap between them as I would have hoped for. The ending was solid, but depending what happens with some of the key plot elements in book 3, I could see myself liking it more or less. This is closer to a 3.5 then a 3.
Luce's perspective was my least favorite; her convictions feel a bit forced and her playing such a huge role in this book was certainly a departure from book 1. Astrid had my favorite story arc by far, and I think the worldbuilding in her section is the most nuanced and compelling.
I don't have any major issues with this other than the dialogue veering straight into cheesy territory at times. At times it works, and other times it doesn't. Nonetheless, I still enjoy this series a lot for its diversity and solid reflections on religion, gender, autonomy and class! Definitely looking forward to book 2 after another solid entry....more
[2.5 stars] I was quite excited for this release and while it wasn’t necessarily disappointing, it was just a LOT heavier than I typically associate w[2.5 stars] I was quite excited for this release and while it wasn’t necessarily disappointing, it was just a LOT heavier than I typically associate with Austin’s writing. That’s not a critique on her or the book, just a case of my own mismanaged expectations going in. From the premise it’s clear the book deals heavily with suicide, but as a heads up it also touches on addiction, rape, homophobia, and domestic violence. The book includes Austin’s quintessential wit and humour, but doesn’t shy away from some explicit heavier topics that her previous releases only touch on briefly.
The novel is structured in an epistolary format where Sigrid recounts her life in drafts of her suicide letter, which grew repetitive. By design, she rewrites a lot of the same themes or ideas and so you get several similar anecdotes about her child, relationship with her best friend and sister, and her increasing disenchantment with her small town. I liked the themes, but reading so many similar stories about her childhood and fear of growing up got a bit grating. Hearing everything retrospectively creates a detachment between Sigrid and the reader, and I never quite warmed up to her.
Around halfway through there’s a big narrative shift, and the second part of the book worked much better for me. It felt more personal and less detached, which makes sense given the context as to which it arises. I liked the secondary characters more than Sigrid and appreciated the roles they played in the narrative of her life. It feels like a very timely book in the political and social commentary it makes.
We Could Be Rats is not a bad book by any means; if you’ve enjoyed Emily Austin before, I think you could still enjoy this! The writing is solid and the narrative is well executed. With that said, it was heavier than expected for me but also presented in a manner that aligns more with young adult fiction. It’s hard to identify the target audience because the tone and subject matter don’t feel in alignment.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for the cute little PR package which included this gem!...more
[3.5 stars] I genuinely don’t know how to summarize this book in any coherent way, nor can I tell how much I enjoyed it. It plays with form, time, spa[3.5 stars] I genuinely don’t know how to summarize this book in any coherent way, nor can I tell how much I enjoyed it. It plays with form, time, space and perspective in a way that’s unlike anything I’ve read before. If I had to pick similar books, I’d say it aligns with the commentary in Land of Milk and Honey and with the storytelling approach of Brat?
Dengue Boy is an existential reflection on human behavior and our role in climate change. Set in a dystopian Earth, where seasons are gone and much of the planet is underwater, it reflects on how humanity is at the mercy of geological processes and nature. There’s some seemingly disjoint side plots about capitalism (notably the emergence of virofinance, which monetizes the viruses emerging as a result of climate change) and colonialism (explored through an immersive VR video game) that eventually come together.
I would struggle to recommend this because it’s so weird. It tries to address too many issues in a short page count, but the concept itself has a lot of potential. I think I liked the ideas more than the execution, but it is definitely a book that will stick with me. If you’re interested in a quick but weird read about creationism, epidemiology and climate change - this might be for you!?
It physically pains me to give this a one-star because it was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025 and Riverhead Books mailed me a copy (they'rIt physically pains me to give this a one-star because it was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025 and Riverhead Books mailed me a copy (they're still one of my favorite publishers, I promise). However, I'm committed to transparency, and rating this higher by virtue of being an ARC would be dishonest. Nonetheless, I am super grateful they sent this my way to review.
The beautiful cover and premise caught my eye, but beyond that, the book did not have much that I enjoyed. The writing style is a very detached third-person narration where our protagonist is referred to predominantly as 'the boy' and events are retold in a semi-fragmented style. The protagonist is contrarian and indignant at every opportunity, which would work well if there was more background context or a first-person narration style to encompass his perspective better. His commentary feels wildly out of place for a 12-year-old, and there is SO much moralistic preaching that serves as our only view of him as a character. I found him insufferable and not sympathetic, which I don't think was the point.
I rarely finish a book (even those I dislike) where I can't decipher why this particular story was told or what the intent of the author was. This is one of those exceptions. Nothing happens in the book until an extraordinarily predictable denouement devoid of any reaction from the characters and without any commentary. It is the type of issue that necessitates some degree of broader commentary because otherwise, it feels more like a cheap and exploitative twist. All of it leads to an ending that is abrupt, bizarre, and shoehorned in to align with the titular reference to Abel & Cain.
Lastly, some additional gripes with the novel include: minor characters who simply disappear into the ether once they've served their purpose, a distinct lack of a sense of time (the book can't seem to commit to a time period it was set in), and an overly ambitious set of subplots for such a short novel.
You might end up liking this (that's the beauty of reading!) but unfortunately this was a rare one star for me....more
Universality might just be the book of the year. Is that year 2024 (when I read it) or 2025 (when it releases)? Not sure!
With razor-sharp wit, Brown Universality might just be the book of the year. Is that year 2024 (when I read it) or 2025 (when it releases)? Not sure!
With razor-sharp wit, Brown crafts a cast of deeply flawed yet realistic characters. Universality is as much a social commentary as it is a mystery. Wealth, class, politics, and privilege all intersect to create an expertly woven tapestry of narratives. The title reflects humanity's universal shortcomings: greed, corruption, and envy. I loved the metaphorical and literal references to the theme of universality sprinkled throughout.
The novel follows a journalist’s attempts to uncover the truth after an illegal rave goes awry and leaves a man bludgeoned with a solid gold bar. As the journalist digs deeper into the story, she uncovers a complex web of relationships that span different social and economic classes. The novel is split into five major sections, each of which further explores the fallout of the investigation and the rising success of the journalist behind it. I wouldn’t quite describe this as a short-story collection or a true-to-form novel - it incorporates a bit of both to tell its story.
As with Assembly, Brown integrates plenty of semi-satirical remarks about late-stage capitalism, the gig economy, race, classism, and the rising popularity of right-wing media. Her writing has a level of nuance that’s hard to get right; the characters don’t feel like mouthpieces for commentary, but rather as fully realized people who embody the contrasting perspectives on current social issues. While nobody emerges as particularly likable, they all represent the collective apathy & nihilism of society and the divisive cultural war that the media perpetuates.
Something I appreciate about Natasha Brown is her ability to accomplish so much in such a minimal page count. The writing never feels bloated or superfluous, and the intent behind every sentence is evident. What she deliberately leaves unsaid is as important to the story as what it is presented. The best comparison I can make is to a painting where the negative space is just as much the focus as the positive space. It leaves room for interpretation and discussion in a way that I haven't seen other authors emulate successfully.
Assembly was a book I appreciated more than enjoyed, but Universality takes similar ideas and runs with them. It will leave you uncomfortable, reflecting and eagerly awaiting her next release. Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!...more
My first read from Bazterrica and certainly not my last! A violent, brutal, and unrelenting novella best suited for fans of Lapvona and I Who Have NevMy first read from Bazterrica and certainly not my last! A violent, brutal, and unrelenting novella best suited for fans of Lapvona and I Who Have Never Known Men.
The Unworthy follows an unnamed narrator who is one of the unworthy - a low-ranking subjugate within an all-women religious commune. After the world becomes increasingly uninhabitable, these women create a haven (using this descriptor very loosely) built upon religion. Their mantra is that without faith, there is no refuge , and they exemplify their faith through various means of cruel and overwhelmingly violent sacrifices. Everyone in the religion sort of sucks, but at the end of the world, a gal can't be too picky!
The atmosphere and vibes of these truly sucked me in from the first few pages. The book only provides nuggets of context and backstory that keep you reading. Still, by the end, it doesn't fully commit to an explanation behind several of the phenomena our protagonist witnesses which I'm still in two minds about. The entirety of the book is narrated from secret letters the protagonist writes in her cell each night, and the clandestine nature of her work creates palpable suspense throughout. It leads to a satisfying climax which is predictable but still well executed.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for the early copy! Definitely one to look out for when this publishes in March 2025! Would recommend it for a short but solid feminist horror with some sapphic representation! While the story isn't the most revolutionary take on religion, it has really superb writing that more than makes up for it....more
What an excellent book. It definitely feels like something different for the Booker Longlist, but I'm very glad it is getting the recognition it deserWhat an excellent book. It definitely feels like something different for the Booker Longlist, but I'm very glad it is getting the recognition it deserves. The fact that I was completely engrossed by a book about sports is truly impressive to me.
The book is small in scope, which works to its benefit. Bullwinkel crafts the narrative around a single boxing tournament, featuring eight female boxers and 7 matches in total. Every character feels distinct and I appreciated the glimpses into their future. As someone who never played sports in any competitive fashion, it gave me a newfound appreciation and perspective for how pivotal it is to these young women's identity and future. I found my loyalties to different boxers shifting as the rounds progressed and I was truly invested in who would ultimately be crowned the tournament victor. The book is as much about these characters and their introspections as much as it is about boxing.
The writing quality is strong throughout and I enjoyed this on audio. I was torn between awarding this a 4.5 or a 5, but it deserves credit for taking an objectively niche subject and making the most of it. Bonus points for being the perfect length.
The themes and premise are reminiscent of The Performance by Claire Thomas, which I'd also highly recommend! I'm excited to see what Bullwinkel publishes next and I hope to see this make the shortlist....more
A solid feminist dystopian read, with the caveat that I agree with most of the negative reviews and would hesitate to recommend this despite enjoying A solid feminist dystopian read, with the caveat that I agree with most of the negative reviews and would hesitate to recommend this despite enjoying it myself. Mackintosh's writing feels cold, distant, and clinical which is certainly hit-or-miss.
Blue Ticket tells the story of a society wherein women are assigned a white ticket (allowing them to have children but little other freedoms) or a blue ticket (where women are allowed to have a career and freedom, but never children) based on a random lottery. We follow Calla who is a blue ticket defect who intentionally becomes pregnant and the consequences that ensue. While the concept is not wholly unique, it has good commentary on sexual freedom, rebellion, autonomy, and the seemingly inconsequential choices we make that define our future.
The book is odd because there is little world-building and a bare-bones plot, and I would even hesitate to call it character-driven. It's more about Calla's personal experience and journey than a typical dystopian setting would provide. Calla is understandable but not likable, which is a difficult balance to achieve. I quite liked the direction the ending and epilogue took, and the whole book has such an ominous and foreboding feeling behind every page.
I thought that there was a way to prove that you deserved it. That one day they would lead me into another room, a room full of light like the one I had seen, and they would say that I had earned my right to choose. I tried my best to demonstrate my suitability, I tried to be maternal at every opportunity. But there is no choosing. ...more
Marking this as a DNF - tried physically and via audio, but unfortunately this isn't landing for me!Marking this as a DNF - tried physically and via audio, but unfortunately this isn't landing for me!...more
I love anything Glass writes. Her writing is intense and abstract, and Mrs. Jekyll is no exception. Thematically, it is similar to Rest and Be ThankfuI love anything Glass writes. Her writing is intense and abstract, and Mrs. Jekyll is no exception. Thematically, it is similar to Rest and Be Thankful in that it personifies death and its slow approach to all of us.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is one of my favourite classics, and this modern reinvention does it justice. As our narrator battles cancer and becomes increasingly weakened by the disease, she’s not sad - she’s angry. A whole life of possibility beckons before her that becomes out of reach. Her relationships are controlled by pity and slowly transform her perspective on the life she thought she was leaving behind.
I enjoyed the stylistic differences between the two perspectives and how suspense is slowly built with every page. Rosy is a nuanced narrator who I found much more humanized and distinct than some of Glass� previous novels. I read the entire novel in a day just to see where her journey would take her - and though the ending packed an emotional punch, it does go the expected route.
Thank you to the publisher, Cheerio publishing, for sending me a copy of this! It’s not available here in Canada otherwise and I was definitely excited for this release!...more
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