NETGALLEY ARC Plot: 5 Characters: 4.5 Writing Style: 5 Cover: 5 (both versions that I saw; the woman with aqua dusted hands, and then the one with SinNETGALLEY ARC Plot: 5 Characters: 4.5 Writing Style: 5 Cover: 5 (both versions that I saw; the woman with aqua dusted hands, and then the one with Sinan [falcon]). Enjoyment: 5 Buyable/Re-readable?: Ohhhh yeah, I will be seeing this series through. Another Top Ten of 2022.
Firstly. this book has a fun AF magic concept. Tea ceremonies and spices? Let's go!
"The tea must be taken in silence, allowing the drinker to dwell on the Great Spirit’s gift and prepare to receive the magic."
Both taste and smell vary, as well, from ceremony to ceremony, which is a fine detail. And this magic system also has consequences, which I appreciate.
It has this magical (pun intended? Probably) flow to it; Ibrahim's style and passion are just...you want to consume it like the characters do their tea. And it's forever nice getting glimpses into other cultures, even if they're Arabian fantasy world types. Spice Road is told in first person POV Ã la our main lady, Imani. I was able to accept the romance and attraction between her and another character when remembering that we the reader are coming into their relationship two years later, and thus, things have occurred off-page that we're not privy to. So, while it almost feels out of no where, it's two years in the making. However, there is another interest that, had I not loved the eff out of this book, would have been more problematic to swallow. The assumptions I applied are; maybe this person is akin to, say, a vampire, in that it's very difficulty to resist them. I am also wondering if it'll come out in another book that Imani has a past connection to said other interest, in which case, it would make a lot of sense why they're drawn to one another. And if those aren't the case? Then I will take issue with the execution of their interactions, because this one does come out of nowhere and has no build up or the like. It's not enough to ruin this gem of a book, but it will be enough to knock off a star. We shall see. I cannot wait!
â–� Contains: sorcerers, Shields, djinns, ghouls, sand serpents, skin- changer (ex: turns into lion), beastseer (ex: controls birds), werehyenas, giants, geomancy. Plus, adventure, non-story-dominating romance, family dynamics. â–� Has the name Bayek, which is an "Assassin's Creed" character and nifty reference. â–�
"In the dirt by my slipper crawls a black scarab, the first reaches of morning sun shimmering on its curved back. Startled, it emits a high-pitched squeak and flails its rayed legs."
-- I totally YouTubed a beetle squeak.. â–� Line highlight (there.are.SO.many!!1!) :
"I hopelessly search for a glimmer in her eyes. They are the painted glass lamps one would find in a bazaar back home. Beautiful but hollow without the light."
The book has charm and wit, inclusivity and extremely important message of self worth, etc. It has a decent pace and the right amount of action, though the ending was a little strange. Not enough to lose a star or turn me off the series, but enough to slightly confuse me with the abruptness of it all. The writing level isn't too simple, nor overly difficult, making the middle-grade label accurate.
Still recommend both books, still plan on buying the box set.
P.S. If there isn't a Toadles Funko POP! or plushie at some point, I'll riot....more
I'm in love with this series and this author. Mejia's two Santiago books have been so very fulfilling; they're extremely intelligent and well-written.I'm in love with this series and this author. Mejia's two Santiago books have been so very fulfilling; they're extremely intelligent and well-written. They absolute do not hold back with social issues (first book had me legit crying multiple times by showing how PoC are treated). They're inclusive. They're creative AF. And as always, I love the exposure to another culture. I also appreciated how the author approached non-Spanish speaking readers by having the main badass Pao also not speak much of the language, and thus was as in the dark as said readers.
I do, however, have one complaint with the second installment, and that was how rushed the ending felt. Like someone altered the deadline or restricted the number of pages. It didn't necessarily ruin the experience, but it also left me a little .__. That said, I still recommend this series and I will excitedly read it to its completion (and buy the box set).
Of all the RRP books, Tehlor Kay Mejia's is easily in the top five, if not three, for myself....more
WOW. This is by far one of my favourite books read this year. It makes Top Three, and that's knoNETGALLEY ARC
But can I give this more than five stars?
WOW. This is by far one of my favourite books read this year. It makes Top Three, and that's knowing the year still has five more months left in it. *Strong* female lead. Total badass, HBIC, and someone who isn't quite the hero, nor the villain. I adore (yes, adore) what the author did with the second and third main characters, and the relationships/chemistry said three have.
The theme and messages coursing havoc through the novel are legit and worth supporting. The description of "This is Pacific Rim meets Handmaid's Tale" plus historical fiction is pretty dang accurate; the concept and the world are just cool as hell, and the way in which Zhao choreographs language is utterly stunning. I highlighted so many passages, because they just left me drunk. And I didn't even realize who the author was until I went on a pronouns search, at which point, I literally yelled at my husband "OH. MY. GODS. Do know who wrote that book I just read??" We saw their YouTube videos and instantly took a liking, so knowing they're behind this g-dang gem only propels my exultation of it. I further trust the material, given the depth and detail put into their previous work.
You can guarantee that I'll be buying this series and screaming its praises. As if that gorgeous cover art by Ashley Mackenzie isn't reason alone....more
This was a surprising (as in "oh-my-stars-and-garters" and "oh-what's-this?") bit of fun, and if I hadn't perused through my custom feeds on Reddit, iThis was a surprising (as in "oh-my-stars-and-garters" and "oh-what's-this?") bit of fun, and if I hadn't perused through my custom feeds on Reddit, it's very likely I wouldn't have seen/heard/read this at all. So, thank you random Redditor for asking for horror book recommendations, and then further thanks to u/The_White_Ecuadorian plugging his own work. The artwork is chipper and the characters likeable (I get a real Gus Johnson & Eddy Burback vibe, which is delightful because they're so g-dang wonderful).
Per their website: “After stumbling upon a secret organization, two podcasters obsessed with the supernatural find themselves caught up in a horror adventure filled with all the monsters and evil they previously thought to just be stories.�...more
KAWAII MUCH??? I think I just died and went into a cute coma, because this manga is full to the brim with adorableness.
A tale of uncondNetGalley ARC
KAWAII MUCH??? I think I just died and went into a cute coma, because this manga is full to the brim with adorableness.
A tale of unconditional bonds, altruism, self-love and -growth, I thoroughly enjoyed the Bakemono guide and expanding my knowledge of pantheons (Japanese in this case). I even teared up a wee bit; a lot of heart and promise in this story. Fluid, lovely artwork too. If this series stays on such a wonderful path, I shall definitely be purchasing the omnibus....more
2022 readthrough: The dialogue/writing doesn't always make sense, which then m2019 readthrough: Multiple pantheons + brilliant eye-candy? Yesplzktnx.
2022 readthrough: The dialogue/writing doesn't always make sense, which then means the story doesn't either. But I want to eat the artwork, it's that wonderful, and I am in love with the concept and world, so...
Plot: 3.5ish thus far? We have more installments to go. Characters: 4 Writing Style: 3/2.5 Cover: 5 Enjoyment: 5 for the concept and world, 3 for the rest Artwork/Layout: 5 ...more
A Broken Zebra
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