This collection is chock full of original stories based on urban legends, scary stories, and ghost lore from each state that makes up the United StateThis collection is chock full of original stories based on urban legends, scary stories, and ghost lore from each state that makes up the United States of America, including Puerto Rico. Overall, this turned out to be an enjoyable collection. There were just two or three stories I didn't like at all, but almost all the other stories were either decent, good or really good. There were a lot more than expected that turned out to be quite chilling and downright scary. I liked the diversity in the type of story (not just ghost stories, but also creature feature and some of the more contemporary urban/rural legend type subject matter). I also liked how it represents the diversity (the so called "melting pot") of America in the characters. Tones and maturity levels between stories vary, so some stories will impact younger readers differently from older, more seasoned horror reading teens and tweens. I think this is a good way to spend some hours reading short, often quite scary stories.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. .
Advanced Review Copy provided by Netgalley courtesy of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. ...more
In this volume, thirteen authors explore the dimensions of fear, terror, and horror, along with the concept of identity (from the concept of race, ethIn this volume, thirteen authors explore the dimensions of fear, terror, and horror, along with the concept of identity (from the concept of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality) and how that often places people into the category of “other,� with a feeling of isolation and a lack of safety that causes a kind of existential terror in and of itself. The authors don’t hold back on the horror, scary imagery, disturbing subject matter, and gore while bucking the trend of choosing marginalized people to victimize first in horror stories. This volume is definitely one for older teens horror buffs, who love a good scare and aren’t traumatized by stories with visceral imagery and a pervasive sense of dread that will keep them on the edge of their seat, touching on practically all the different categories of horror you can think of. I'm kind of a wuss, so some of the stories were a lot for me, but they were all really well-written and had me on the edge of my seat.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 stars
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine.
Advanced Review Copy provided by Netgalley courtesy of Tor Teen....more
I didn't expect to like this as much as I did. I'm not into Bigfoot stuff. But.... It was a cute, and surprisingly emotionally impactful book. I likedI didn't expect to like this as much as I did. I'm not into Bigfoot stuff. But.... It was a cute, and surprisingly emotionally impactful book. I liked the subtle Christian element (faith is used to help guide a person and to help them through difficult situations and not as a weapon against others). I also liked how quirky and funny it was in parts. Although some difficult themes are addressed in this book, it was also a pretty wholesome in a good way young adult (kind of read more like middle-grade, to be honest) book . It has some good lessons presented in a very non-preachy way. I'd read more in this series. I'm still skeptical about Bigfoot though!
Kill Her Twice is an immersive, well-written historical mystery with excellent representation of Asian (Chinese) protagonists in the 1930s. The historKill Her Twice is an immersive, well-written historical mystery with excellent representation of Asian (Chinese) protagonists in the 1930s. The history buff in me was so sucked into the atmospheric writing and imagery. I loved both May and Gemma and I found their voices and characterization to be so memorable. The mystery kept me guessing. I definitely want to read more by Stacey Lee.
Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine.
Advanced Review Copy provided by Netgalley courtesy of Penguin Young Readers Group....more
Ghost Roast is a graphic novel that succeeds on so many levels. Good writing and good art make for such a very satisfying experience. For its length,
Ghost Roast is a graphic novel that succeeds on so many levels. Good writing and good art make for such a very satisfying experience. For its length, the characters are absolutely believable and three-dimensional.
It may have taken me a long time to read this, but that's not a reflection on its quality. This is a first rate book. I have been intentional about reIt may have taken me a long time to read this, but that's not a reflection on its quality. This is a first rate book. I have been intentional about reading more African diaspora speculative, science fiction and fantasy, and I am loving them so much. There are some amazing middle grade and young adult books out there in this arena.
Raybearer is a unique concept and introduces a beautiful, rich mythology of the author's creation to the reader. Tarisai was created to achieve her mother's revenge, and raised with that goal in mind. She has strong abilities, but her life essentially belongs to her mother and she has to do what her mother tells her to. This makes her life complicated, even tragic as her mother's revenge requires her to infiltrate the heir of the emperor's court, where she finds friendship and belonging such as she's never known.
This book takes a while to get going, but it's needed and well-rewarded. There is so much to establish. At the same time, it doesn't feel boring as the writing is so richly detailed with descriptions of the magical world the characters inhabit, and the authentic-feeling cultures they operate in. I love how Ifueko handles magic, and the unique connect that forms between the characters in the royal court. There are some awe-inspiring set pieces and this book feels highly cinematic. And the payoff of everything is so satisfying.
Love is a huge theme of this novel. What is and isn't love. The endless depths of love and the diversity of its forms. When we believe obsession is love, but it isn't. Or when love is manipulated for selfish reasons. It's about what love makes one do, sacrifice and surrender. And it's also about how that feeling of love can be corrupted by bitterness and betrayal. Tarisai learns what true love is, and that she shouldn't have to demand love of others. The characterization is so good. Even though there are many characters, none of them are cardboard, but have depth even for their short times on screen.
This is a young adult book that treats its readers with respect and demands a lot of its readers. It doesn't dumb down the concepts, but presents very adult ideas (without graphic content that might be unsuitable to young adults). At the same time, there is fair amount of violence, and suggestions of sexual situation (not on screen) except for some passionate kisses. The plotting is immaculate and everything that is introduced has an important part of the narrative. Things build in a very satisfying way to the conclusion. And readers won't leave this book without having their emotions impacted in profound ways. It really challenges readers on the ideas around unconditional love and loyalty, and also touches on the inherent corruption of the so-called divine right to rule (and in a modern day concept how the populace concedes power to their rulers in an uncritical way.
I highly recommend this book. I think I do have to give this one five stars....more
Percy Jackson is a consistently good series that gets better with each book as the storyline develops, questions get answered and more mysteries are rPercy Jackson is a consistently good series that gets better with each book as the storyline develops, questions get answered and more mysteries are revealed. This story deals with the Greek myth of the labyrinth, and in a very creative way. I like how Riordan takes the myths and has created a novel story on top of it. It's full of laughs, but also some very poignant moments. And it seems like things are getting quite dark as the series progresses. Always great to hang out with Percy, Annabelle, Grover, Tyson, and the other Demigod kids. And yes, there is a minotaur, sort of. One of my favorite JV/Middle Grade series. The audiobook narrator Jesse Burnstein always does a good job.
Merged review:
Percy Jackson is a consistently good series that gets better with each book as the storyline develops, questions get answered and more mysteries are revealed. This story deals with the Greek myth of the labyrinth, and in a very creative way. I like how Riordan takes the myths and has created a novel story on top of it. It's full of laughs, but also some very poignant moments. And it seems like things are getting quite dark as the series progresses. Always great to hang out with Percy, Annabelle, Grover, Tyson, and the other Demigod kids. And yes, there is a minotaur, sort of. One of my favorite JV/Middle Grade series. The audiobook narrator Jesse Burnstein always does a good job....more
Coming home to New Orleans has not been the grand welcome that Denise, her mother Sally and stepfather Mike would hope for. They have purchased a brokComing home to New Orleans has not been the grand welcome that Denise, her mother Sally and stepfather Mike would hope for. They have purchased a broken down house with the goal of refurbishing it and turning it into a bed and breakfast with the meager funds they are getting through a small business loan. Denise is less than happy to be leaving her friends behind, starting at a new school, and living in a funky, dirty, falling down house. Add on to the fact that it's haunted by two presences: a small woman and a big man. While the woman seems benevolent, the man is far from it. She finds a comic book in the attic from an artist and author who was quite popular in the 1950s, one that may unlock the mysteries of the house, which seems to fall apart quicker than they can fix it.
This was such an entertaining read. I listened to the audiobook, and I loved how there was actually a dramatic reenactment of the comic book with different actors. That was my favorite part of the book. I enjoyed the twist of the ongoing series in which its lead is the intrepid young woman who constantly has to save her boyfriend, who constantly is the one in danger. A nice turnaround from the typical scenario. Careful attention to this plot device will reveal much of the underlying themes and mystery in the book.
Along with the ghost story and mystery of the house, there's a good story about a young teen finding her feet in a new place and making friends. There is also some great commentary about Hurricane Katrina and the upheaval that the city has not fully recovered from. Additionally, the story explores themes of gentrification and racial profiling, but in a very organic manner. I do think some of that was simplified, but that's understandable as this is appealing to a younger audience.
I loved the characters, from Denise to her parents (both kind and caring with good sense of humor), to the friends she makes, her nosy neighbor Terry (an aspiring ghost hunter), Norman (a hunky young man who had about eight thousand jobs and is a potential love interest), and Dominique (who starts out as an abrasive potential enemy but becomes a friend in the end). I thought the ghostly presences were well done, and how things seem to escalate as the story unfolds.
Despite this being a ghost story with some dark themes, there's a lot of light here as the focus on family, connection and community prevails over the very present evil that the characters face. It wasn't exactly scary, but it was nicely spooky and a very good read for October spooky season....more
Each culture has a heritage of stories, legends and lore that is passed down to cement their understanding of their past, present and to guide their fEach culture has a heritage of stories, legends and lore that is passed down to cement their understanding of their past, present and to guide their future in a hopeful direction. Our Shadows Have Claws: 15 Latin American Monster Stories features young adult stories that integrate the darker legends of peoples of the Latin American diaspora. Each story features a young protagonist who must confront the fact that legends can often be (or is an entrenched part of their) reality, along with the often dark aspects of humanity as well.
The fifteen stories in this volume varied greatly in subject matter and tone. Both an educational journey and a rollercoaster of emotions as the young people in the stories face their fears and heartbreaks of growing up through the lens of their Latin heritage. As a folklore lover, this volume allowed this reader an opportunity to delve into legends that were unknown, and also learn the cultural context of others, such as the vampire and Chupacabra. While the occasional story failed to meet expectations, either too short, or the writing veering too far into camp, this was overall a very strong collection. Many of the stories were very scary. The character work is a highlight of almost every story, as the legends and lore mean nothing if there is no intersection and confrontation with a person navigating through both daily trials (often quite distressing) and the angst of growing up. The accompanying illustrations by Ricardo López Ortiz at the beginning and end of each story absolutely add to the tone and the appeal of this collection. This volume is very much recommended to readers of dark fantasy, especially those who enjoy folklore and learning/exploring diverse cultures.
This book was provided as an ARC for review from Algonquin Young Readers through Netgalley....more
I really should have taken notes as I listened to this, but I did not. So my review will be a bit slapdash. I had very low expectations for this becauI really should have taken notes as I listened to this, but I did not. So my review will be a bit slapdash. I had very low expectations for this because I don't like slasher movies at all. However, I do enjoy a good anthology and I wanted something to continue my spooky reading into November. I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised. I think pretty much all the writers in this collection are very good at what they are doing. There are some stories that are just plain beautiful. Even though the subject matter wasn't always to my taste, the writing was so good, I was transfixed. Another thing I really liked is every single story is different. While the name of the collection is a good heads up, you would find so much more than the title suggests.
I admit I ended up not finishing "Sleepless" because I really triggered on a personal level by the content. But I listened to all of other stories.
"The birds of Azalea Street" / Nova Ren Suma
What a start to this anthology. It was so weird and ugly and beautiful at the same time. 4 stars
"In the forest dark and deep" / Carrie Ryan
I liked and hated this one. It was twisted and disturbing and almost dream/nightmare-like. I didn't like the ending, so I took off a star because of that. As an Alice in Wonderland acolyte, I did get a kick out this interesting take on the story. 3.5 stars
"Emmeline" / Cat Winters
I wasn't that impressed with this one, to be honest. I love a good ghost story, but this one didn't work for me. 2.5 stars
"Verse chorus verse" / Leigh Bardugo
What a creepy story. It's a twisted look into the stage mom/mother manager and star daughter take. I have questions that didn't quite get answered. If you like vibes and the dark feel of a story more than a story that lays everything out clearly, you'd like this one. I feel like it ended too soon. I think it should have been a novella and not a short story as there are plot-lines that weren't developed that really needed more page time. 3.75 stars
"Hide-and-seek" / Megan Shepherd
This was one of my favorites. I loved the heck out of this story. I am crazy about Applachian folklore based stories and the atmosphere was immaculate. Also the story keeps moving along with no drags or pacing issues. I definitely want to read more from this author. 5 stars
"The dark, scary parts and all" / Danielle Paige
If Carrie and The Omen had a baby pretty much sums this one up. It was hard to take this one seriously. It had an almost "Is this supposed to be funny" kind of feel like the new Sabrina show on Netflix. It wasn't bad, it just didn't have that much of an impact on me other than for obvious reasons. 3 stars
"The flicker, the fingers, the beat, the sigh" / by April Genevieve Tucholke
This story was so beautiful and heartbreaking. The imagery is as exquisitely rendered as Jung Hoseok's face. This will stay with me for a long time. 5 stars
"Fat girl with a knife" / Jonathan Maberry
I love Jonathan Maberry's Joe Ledger series, and there are aspects to this story that make it feel like a cousin to that series. It was a bit too short for my tastes, but I really liked what was there. I would like more from this character. 4 stars.
"Sleepless" / Jay Kristoff
I didn't finish this one because I was triggered by the subject matter. It's a me thing based on my own family dynamics. You might like it. Not Rated
"M" / Stefan Bachmann
Loved, loved, loved it! I hate bullies, and I appreciate books where the predator becomes the prey. Hope that's not a spoiler. So well written and the setting and storyline hits me in my Gothic-loving soul. 4.5 stars
"The girl without a face" / Marie Lu
I wasn't that keen on this story. It's well done and I like the twist in plotting. It just had a yuck factor with the main character I couldn't get past. 3 stars
"A girl who dreamed of snow"/ McCormick Templeman
Unique story that is completely unpredictable. It's such a divergent turn in this collection. 4 stars.
"Stitches" / A.G. Howard
Absolutely loved this story. It has a Southern Gothic/Rural dark fantasy feel that always sucks me in. There's something so beautiful about the tale, even with some ugly subject matter. It feels like a fairy tale. 5 stars
"On the I-5" / Kendare Blake
So many times, I thought I knew where this was going, and I was so very wrong. It reminded me of the movie Freeway. I am not a big fan of the movie overall, but Reese Witherspoon's character was awesome. This just had a bit of that feel with the character, but it's so unique. It was really dark and twisted, and I loved it. 4.5 stars.
I was so impressed by this collection. I'm glad I got the audiobook because the narrators were excellent, and listening to the collection added so much more to the experience. I definitely recommend this volume to dark fantasy and horror lovers. There's little of everything in here with consistent quality throughout the collection. That's what I look for in a good anthology.
I'd give this an overall rating of 4 stars....more
I read this back in November and realized I never wrote a review. Wow, I really appreciated this book. It's hard to just say it's good, because I had I read this back in November and realized I never wrote a review. Wow, I really appreciated this book. It's hard to just say it's good, because I had such complex feelings reading the book. I love fairy tales in an unhealthy way. I love them not in spite of, but because of, the dark edge to them. Which is probably why I am often ambivalent towards the Disney remakes.
This book is for people like me. Who love the uncertainty, the unease, the sting in the tail, the potential of fairy tales. As one matures, you want to see them go past the overt plot points and delve into the characterization and what happens between scenes, intertextually and the greater world within those stories. Also there's that combination of wonder and fear to consider if the world of fairy tales collided with our real world, and how that would look.
Alice is a young teen whose life has been one of continual flux. She and her mother have moved on constantly from place to place as unexplained events force them from whatever temporary places they have established as home, what Alice calls her "bad luck". Her mother refuses to talk about her father or grandmother, a lauded author of a book of stories called "Tales from the Hinterland." The book is impossible to obtain copies, and bad events befall those who have copies. Her mother marries and they settle into the Upper West Side, Alice attending an elite school where she meets Finch, who idolizes her grandmother. When her mother disappears and the kidnappers are called "The Hinterland" as in "Tales from the Hinterland," Alice must follow the breadcrumbs back to her grandmother's secluded estate called The Hazel Wood, to find her, aware that what she thought was just fiction is frighteningly and unexplicably real.
This story has a very strong surreal element to it, especially after Alice starts the search for her mother. If it wasn't from the point of view of Alice and Finch, it would be easily to decide all of this is in their head. But it isn't. It's just the results of fairy merging with the real world, and that is not a good thing. The creatures of the Hinterland and ruthless, hungry and far from benign. There are some very dark themes here of mental illness, self-harm, and family trauma. The characters are pretty messed up, for good reason. Alice has a deep core of rage that her mom has worked tirelessly with her to teach her how to manage those feelings. What we see of her now is a socially awkward, misanthropic and sarcastic young woman with a short fuse. But what there is to Alice is so much more. It's worth it to read this book and discover her. Finch is also such an intriguing character. I admit I was as fascinated by him as Alice. Like her, he had the Finch he allowed everyone to see, and the real Finch, which was considerably less affable and sanguine. I will say that the other characters definitely take a back seat to them and not as much time was spent on their development, sadly including her mother. But having said that, it didn't detract much from the story for me. While the novel includes excerpts from "Tales From the Hinterland," I am so glad I read it first, because I was able to refer to my memories of the stories as I read this book. And knowing how unsettling some of the stories are, those characters having a way into our world is much scarier. I feel that they had a lack of three dimensionality in the real world and felt more like goons or henchmen. Although that makes sense with some of the reveals that come along with further reading.
The Hazel Wood is an experience. I loved the metafictional aspect of it. It has a sinister and borderline horrific vibe that made it such a perfect spooky fall read. I also loved how freaking weird it was. The concept of the book being cursed so that bad things happened to followed people who owned it (even those associated with the film adaptation) was so interesting. I also appreciated how Alice and her mom were their own loving family unit, and this is so valid as non-traditional families have been around for a long time and should be celebrated. Alice would do anything for her mom and vice versa. The juxtaposition with Finch and his family life was an interesting commentary on how one can be an orphan in unlikely ways.
I have to get this 4.5 stars because the sum of it is even better than its parts although with a critical lens there are things that I can pick out that could detract from it from a rating perspective. This is a book I'll think about a lot, and I'm excited to read other books by Melissa Albert....more
I love a good dark urban fantasy with ghosty goodness and a health dose of "what am I reading." This fits the bill. There's also a great, and unique lI love a good dark urban fantasy with ghosty goodness and a health dose of "what am I reading." This fits the bill. There's also a great, and unique lead narrative voice. This had a post-apocalyptic feel, after some event that caused civilization as we know it to decline. Ghosts roam around freely, and Ropa has the ability to communicate with them. For a price, she will help them achieve what they are lingering around for. A desperate, recently dead ghost asks for Ropa to help her child, but has no way to pay. Ropa is supporting her grandmother and sister, so she doesn't work for free. However, she is convinced to help the spirit, finding a sinister far-reaching conspiracy of missing children.
This is a very unique feeling young adult story with a variety of textures. Huchu's writing is very sensorial, immersing the reader in the world he had created, mostly bad with a little bit of good. There are some genuinely scary moments, along with lots of intense, thrilling sequences. While I had some ideas about where things were leading, I didn't predict the way this story was going to play out at all.
I would recommend the audiobook for this one, because it really adds to the experience. Dark, atmospheric, complex, and suprisingly humorous in parts, I enjoyed this book quite a bit. ...more
I was legitimately going to give this book a three star rating, but damn, the romance part really got me. I know, I'm a sucker. I mean, honestly this I was legitimately going to give this book a three star rating, but damn, the romance part really got me. I know, I'm a sucker. I mean, honestly this is about the villains. Yes, the hero is a villain (sort of) and the heroine is a villain (sort of). The heroine Alessandra, has a Cruella de Vil (but without the puppy killing) or the wicked stepsister vibe. Maybe a little like real life Lucrezia Borgia. Some of their actions really bothered me. For instance, they throw this guy in prison and forget about him (for robbing from the rich and feeding the poor). In my mind, the guy was kind of a bore, but he was helping people. The King orders the deaths of people like it isn't a big deal. I like a possessive hero who will kill when the heroine is threatened, but he was really cold blooded about it. I'm glad he didn't order the peasants' deaths, but he comes off as a power mad dude who is bent on conquering other countries. I realize whether those villainous traits is up to interpretation, but I found it cringeworthy. I think that if the author wanted us to believe it was the influence of the Shadows, she didn't really make that clear, so it feels cringey.
One thing I really did like was that Alessandra is not an innocent sweet type. She's been around the block a lot. She's slept with dozens of men (and she was only 18), in her own words. I'm always torn about that a little. I like to think I'm enlightened, but still I am not pro-sleeping with a lot of people for lots of reasons. However, I do like that it has a good message about not judging women for who they sleep with (or don't). Also, it speaks about how our patriarchal society makes women so competitive with each other when it's not really necessary. Especially when no one judges men for doing worse. I liked her unapologetic nature and how she doesn't let what others think about her drive her. I also appreciated how goal-driven she is, although I didn't like some of her methods. It was so cool that she made her own clothing and everyone was following her fashion because she chose to stand out, and the King noticed her. And she was a badass.
I was confused about the setting. I wasn't sure if the writer was going from a Renaissance Italy kind of vibe or early 20th century. I felt like she needed to choose which one she was going for. I realize that this was a made up kingdom and world, but it just got weird when one part of the book seemed fairly modern and the other part had them going to a tavern, and they ride in carriages. It's not a major thing by any stretch, but It did stand out to me.
The fantasy aspect was very subtle. I mean, basically it was the fact that the King could manifest shadows. I would have liked a little more fantasy in the book. However, I thought that was interesting. I feel like it was not well-explained how the touch thing worked. I finally worked out what I thought was the mechanism. I think the story would have benefitted from a few more touches of magic to make the world-building a little more solid.
The romance was far and away the best part of this story. Quite frankly, I think this should be labeled as a paranormal romance. I loved how the relationship between Alessandra and the Shadow King builds so beautifully. I really enjoyed how they spent time together and talked a lot. Part of it was because they couldn't touch, but that was such a different dynamic for Alessandra as so many of her interactions (I hesitate to call them relationships) were physical. In this case, the not touching gave them time to build their feelings and that unconsummated tension really came through. Also, the King clearly respected Alessandra and valued her. She had gotten so little of that in her life. Alessandra's walls were coming down and she was finding it harder to remember she wanted to woo and marry the king so she could take his thrown. I really believed in their love for each other. And wow, the chemistry was so good between them. There aren't any on scene love scenes, but the author manages to keep things hot enough that I didn't even miss them.
The sucker punch of the mystery was very well done. I figured that things weren't going to be as easy as it seemed. While I had a feeling about what was going on, it wasn't a gimme. I like my mysteries to keep me guessing and wondering, and this fulfilled that for me.
I'm glad I hung in there with this book. I was turned off by the beginning, and honestly, I didn't like the narrator's voice for Alessandra at all. She wasn't a bad narrator, but I would have liked a deeper, more sultry narrator for Alessandra. I think it would have been more in keeping with her personality. However, I think the narrator did a good job with the male characters.
Yeah, if you are looking for a romance with morally questionable lead characters, you'll probably like this book. While I rooted for their romance, I was still queasy about some of their life choices (like ordering the deaths of people so casually)....more
Here I am, almost three years late writing this review. I just never got around to it, until now. Yeah, I was so sucked into this book. It's really daHere I am, almost three years late writing this review. I just never got around to it, until now. Yeah, I was so sucked into this book. It's really dark. This is about kids who go to a school that is literally trying to kill them because they are magic-users. The goal is to get to Graduation Day, which you hope that you can survive. And they are much safer in the school than elsewhere. It's giving moreso The Hunger Games than Harry Potter.
The narrator is El, and she is extremely sarcastic and negative, ill-tempered/grumpy. However, she has great reason. She is avoided and/or disliked by the other students because a prophecy says she's going to be the Dark Lord (or Lady). But the reader doesn't ever have any reason to see her that way. And it made me think hard about how we prophecy over people in our society (I mean in a non-religious sense). We put people into categories and assume that they will be this or that. That's a huge burden for anyone to carry, so it makes sense that it has made El the way she is, despite her sweet, kind, loving mother.
If it sounds like I don't like her, I actually loved her. I appreciated her snark and her smarts, and the vulnerability she managed to hide from most people shone through (a great choice for Novik to write this in first person).
I tend to avoid a lot of YA because I don't like the tone for most of them, but I'm irresistibly drawn to boarding school stories, and I love fantasy, so this was very up my alley. I'm also a huge anglophile and this book feels very British. As a feverish watcher of British television shows, this was almost a comfort read. Having said that, it is very dark because kids are constantly dying in this book. It's terrible how vulnerable this kids are and there doesn't seem to be a huge push from adults to save them. In that sense it definitely reminds me of fare like The Hunger Games and Battle Royale. I think the humor and the pragmatic and deadpan voice of El makes this book a lot more comfortable than it should have been on paper.
**A note about one aspect that I can see as problematic about someone's hair making them at risk for being preyed upon by monsters. I don't think it was meant to be culturally insensitive, but I completely acknowledge why it caused offense. I think that it's super important for authors to think about those aspects and get people from those communities to read their books so that doesn't happen.
I like romance, but I agree it can take over a non-romance book very quickly. I liked how the chemistry between El and Orion was handled. I'm not going to lie. Orion gave me a big Draco Malfoy vibe.
Yeah, this was fun, enjoyable, unputdownable. I'm so glad I listened to the audiobook because it made this such an immersive experience. I still need to listen to the next books in the series. This is the third book by Naomi Novik that I've read and this is another five star read for me....more
I read this a while ago and I don't honestly remember a lot of it. I would say it's in the three star range. I think I will reread this before I do a I read this a while ago and I don't honestly remember a lot of it. I would say it's in the three star range. I think I will reread this before I do a review....more
I liked this book. The humorous tone threw me at first, considering the subject matter. But it was well-written and quick moving. I love the intent beI liked this book. The humorous tone threw me at first, considering the subject matter. But it was well-written and quick moving. I love the intent behind the story as well. I think this is suitable for older teens. I'd be careful about younger tweens reading this one without parental discussions.
I read this back in October as an audiobook. For my Advanced Writing Workshop class, we had to choose three books to read, and I had already wanted toI read this back in October as an audiobook. For my Advanced Writing Workshop class, we had to choose three books to read, and I had already wanted to read this.
The narrator has a lovely voice, and hearing the beautiful descriptions that are so intrinsic to this novel was an auditory feast. The Belles has such sumptuous imagery, and I really applaud Clayton for her attention to detail and her care in crafting this world where beauty is prized above everything, but underneath is an ugly truth about the society that allows systemic corruption.
I was interested in this book because its storyline pricked my curiosity. It’s about a society built on the use of magic to maintain beauty. The world-building aspect appealed to me because I strive to create stories with strong world-building as a fantasist. It definitely held up to my expectations on that front. Clayton imparted a fully-fleshed environment to her stories. It reminds me of Rococo France, and there are some clear cut references to it in the names of some characters, and the fashion nods. I can also elements of 19th Century New Orleans society with the gens de couleur and ±Ê±ô²¹Ã§²¹²µ±ð societies. It's not done literally, but feels like a heavy influence in that the lives of the Belles are so strictly regimented and in truth they do not own themselves. Another literary device that Clayton used to make her narrative standout was 1st Person Present Tense narrative. It draws me into the aciton.
On the downside, the characterization is not quite as impressive. I have about four hours left in the book, as I’m listening to the audiobook, and I still feel less connected to the protagonist. The story is a slow burner, and the narrative is built on character interaction and the world as a strong focal point.
Some aspects that have been revealed to me as the story unfolds are is the underlying themes of this novel. Camelia, the main protagonist, has been driven her entire life towards a singular goal of being “The Favorite,� the Belle who is picked to provide the important beauty services in the Royal Palace. She put that above everything. That didn’t mean she didn’t love her sisters, because she did, but when a rivalry unfolds between her and another sister, Amber, her ambitions and her sisters drive a wedge between them. Camelia has an especially powerful talent at using what’s called the Beauty Arcana to provide beauty modifications to her clients. The use of her Arcana actually takes energy out of her own body, which becomes a crucial plot element. The Belles were made by the Goddess of Beauty to reverse the curse of the Goddess� husband The Sky God, who was jealous of her people that she made. As a result of the curse, the people turned into Gris, which were people leached of color with hair like straw. The avoidance of that fate drives the whole culture, and as usual, the privilege of avoiding the fate of becoming a Gris is something that richer and more aristocratic people have in spades over the common people.
The descriptions of the use of the beauty arcana are fascinating and extremely vivid. There is a continual interplay between beauty and ugliness in this novel, both internal and external, and the lengths to which some go to maintain their beauty makes them extremely selfish and cruel.
Camelia ends up in a royal intrigue that will likely put her life in jeopardy. She is under the thumb of someone who is unhinged and very powerful, with nefarious goals. Additionally, there’s a love triangle between Camelia, Auguste, a dashing young naval officer, who is a suitor to the young spoiled Princess Sophie, and Remy, Camelia’s personal guard. I personally hate love triangles, and I could definitely do without it. Can we declare a moratorium on love triangles in YA, pretty please? Having said that, I can see the appeal of both young men. I’m certainly leaning towards Remy. I prefer the strong, silent type over the arrogant playboy type. While Camelia has a bit more of a rapport with Auguste, I think that her relationship with Remy reads more authentic to me.
The slow build is not my favorite thing about this book, but the writing is very strong, and I really appreciate the multicultural, diverse cast of characters. It certainly fulfills on the world-building and description angels. I like Camelia, but at times, she comes off as lacking in wisdom, and her overwhelming ambition is a major character flaw due to its consequences. However, she is a kind person who genuinely wants to use her abilities to help others.
Ultimately, I enjoyed this book, although I was a little disappointed at the end. It's a little too cliffhangerish for my tastes. I did appreciate the nice twists and turns that demonstrate Clayton's excellent plotting abilities. The dread is so palpable along with all the other emotions, which are highly visceral in good and bad ways. I wanted more action and I did feel the pacing was off, with most of the dramatics occurring late in the book. In spite of that, The Belles is a solid read, and I would recommend it to fantasy lovers who really enjoy a strong historical vibe to their fantasy. And the multiculturalism of this novel is sorely needed in fantasy.
I really hate that I didn't write my review sooner. I have forgotten some parts of the book, but I definitely enjoyed it. The ending wraps up the storI really hate that I didn't write my review sooner. I have forgotten some parts of the book, but I definitely enjoyed it. The ending wraps up the story nicely, but it did feel a little anticlimactic. Maybe I'll relisten to this story so I can write views to give them justice. For me now, Loki is forever Tom Hiddleston and this Loki doesn't sound cute or as mesmerizing. He's got some appeal, but in this book he's definitely chaotic and very villainous in his motivations.
**I will always remember listening to this book when I was driving home from a late class in a snow storm. I had to dig out my driveway to park my car. Isn't it funny how memory can be so tied to events in your mind?
I'm giving it a four stars because I don't remember being blown away by the conclusion. Although overall the series is really excellent. I love the diversity and representation and how the overall message is inclusivity. As with the Percy Jackson series, Riordan does an incredible job of reinterpreting the Norse myths in a way that is accessible, but also preserves the essence of the source material. He is really funny as well....more
A required read for my Readings in the Graphic Novel class, but it was a fun one. I've never read any of the Captain Marvel books, so I came into thisA required read for my Readings in the Graphic Novel class, but it was a fun one. I've never read any of the Captain Marvel books, so I came into this fresh. It's fun to discover this series without any preconceived notions. In the discussion, classmates brought up some issues that I didn't necessary see initially.
I think that this one is geared towards a younger audience than the typical Marvel books, and the writing bears that in mind. The storytelling is a shade simplistic, and the illustrations jump rapidly between panels. The drawings are more sketchlike, lacking a clean rendering and finish. Some classmates thought the creators must have been under a tight deadline, and that's why the final version lacks polish. The conflict seems unfinished, and it was hard to follow exactly who the villain is and what their motives were.
Overall, I liked this a lot. They're some hidden layers to this book that came out on a second read. While the portrayal of Kamala might have been in some way problematic, I still think it's powerful for young Muslim kids to read this book and see someone like them in their superhero books. In these charged times, it's also good for non-Muslim readers who don't know much about what it's like, so they can see that demonization of people who are different or share different beliefs and cultures is wrong. It was also good to Kamala's evolution from being ashamed of being herself, to the degree she wanted to escape her culture and heritage to fit in so badly. Instead, she learns that it's a part of her and it makes her stronger....more
I am really sad to see this series end. I started it on a lark, and I have truly enjoyed reading about Lockwood and Co's adventures. The characters haI am really sad to see this series end. I started it on a lark, and I have truly enjoyed reading about Lockwood and Co's adventures. The characters have developed and evolved beautifully over the course of the series, while maintaining what makes them lovable. Lockwood starts as an enigmatic leader with an irresistible allure to him. As the series progresses, Lucy comes to love him for who he is and she comes to realize that Lockwood truly needs Lucy to stay balanced and grounded. Their relationship has plenty of ups and downs through the books, but I am extremely happy with how things culminate. I was really afraid how things would end overall. I ended being satisfied with the conclusion, other than the fact that things have to end. I know many people hate series that go on indefinitely. I don't mind ongoing series as long as they stay good. But I realize that this series had to end at some point, based on the fact that ghost hunters have a strict use by date because they stop being able to sense the ghosts.
Having said that, I wouldn't mind at all if Stroud was about to roll this series over into a spinoff. At all.
This series snuck up on me and now it's one of my all time favorites. I think it would make a great tv show. There's plenty of suspense and creep factor as Lucy, Lockwood, George, Holly and friends encounter the uncanny, and Stroud is excellent at developing the growing tension and sense of danger. There are some really heinous entities in this books, both otherworldly and otherwise, so that may be a trigger for readers that these kids are deliberately placed in dangerous situations due to the work that they do.
I highly recommend the Lockwood & Co Series....more
Danielle The Book Huntress
>
Books:
young-adult
(525)
Loading...
