Plot: 4.5 Characters: 4.5 Writing Style: 5 Cover: 4.5 Enjoyment: 4.5 Buyable/Re-readable?: YES. I will follow this series through, hands dNETGALLEY ARC
Plot: 4.5 Characters: 4.5 Writing Style: 5 Cover: 4.5 Enjoyment: 4.5 Buyable/Re-readable?: YES. I will follow this series through, hands down.
I think this is another contender for Top Ten of 2022. Hm. Yes, indeedy I do. I requested this on whim too, not entirely certain I'd enjoy it; turns out it was hard to put down, making it difficult to finish since I was also reading Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions (Grate/Rapino), which was also difficult to stop reading. xD
"And if you see yourself in these pages, I want to tell you what I wish someone had told me. You are exactly the way you were meant to be, and you are the hero of your own story." - Housman
� Told in first person POV, steadily paced with plenty of action, downtime bonding/fleshing out, character growth, and little to no romance. � Divided into three parts. � Includes dragons, fae/faeries, shapeshifters, changelings, magic, enchanters, brownies, etc And it is magic with consequences. - "It’s greedy.....Magic always takes, from someone or something. Even if you don’t see how at the time. It won’t� it won’t want you to forget the price." � Tackles inclusion; "How do you write about autism without using the word autism? This book was inspired by the theory that changeling mythology is an early description of autistic children." � I'll admit that I didn't quite follow the adoption/kidnap thing. At least, not until the end did it make a tiny bit more sense. � Ohhh, their wagon is similar to Thistlefoot (GennaRose Nethercott)! Magic gives it personality. � Iselia/Seelie sometimes reminded me of Elsa from Frozen. She is also quite clumsy, and as someone who is also clumsy, I like this. � At first, the sister, Isolde, is almost Mary Sue-ish? But Seelie acknowledges this, and there's something at the end that could explain it. And it's sort of like in Harry Potter, where it’s borderline meta acknowledged that All Things Happen to Potter. Didn't ruin anything, either. � Alright, so maybe it’s a YA, etc dealy, in that the books can be repetitive in general? And I only notice when it's a book I don't like? Something to do with teen/tween attention span? I don’t know, but when Seelie did repeat herself to us, more often than not, it didn’t grate my nerves like it has previously done....more
Plot: 5 Characters: 5 Writing Style: 5 - Whilst I enjoyed it so very thoroughly, I can see an argument for the extremeNETGALLEY / WILLIAM MORROW ARC
Plot: 5 Characters: 5 Writing Style: 5 - Whilst I enjoyed it so very thoroughly, I can see an argument for the extremely flowery nature being a bit too much for some readers. Cover: 5 - Cover is so pretty, I want to choke. MUCH love. Enjoyment: 5 Buyable/Re-readable?: Ohhh yes. As of now, this will make my Top 2023 list.
This is almost a Beauty and Beast reimagining, in that it's thought to be the origin story and inspiration, with historical fiction (Medici family, characters who were real people. etc).
"This story is, above all, a work of fiction. Though I tried to stay faithful to the facts that are known about the Gonzales family, as well as to those that scholars have deemed most likely, for the sake of a more coherent narrative I did take liberties with history. In places, time lines have been blurred and historical sites, and even people, combined. The song that Catherine sings is a modified translation of a traditional Italian lullaby. Animal-husband tales have appeared in cultures all over the world for centuries upon centuries. One� Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve’s The Beauty and the Beast� has spawned countless variations. Whether the historical protagonists in this book might have been the inspiration for Villeneuve’s story is� like so much else about their lives� a matter of conjecture, though one that sparked my imagination." - Molly Greeley
The story is written in third POV and in 7 parts that time-jump. It's told through both Pedro (our would-be 'Beast') and Catherine, his wife. It kicks off with the death of Pedro and then flawlessly weaves the tapestry of their lives in the past up to the present; from 1547 to 1619. It takes place in Italy, mostly, with a few visits elsewhere. I know how underwhelming it is to say 'it's a great book', but seriously, this is such a wonderful novel. The build-up, the world building, the interactions, the brutal honesty and exposure to life at court for living beings (little people, exotic animals, people with deformities, and so on) turned into entertainment for the privileged. It is absolutely a story of resilience. I found the changes made to be agreeable (especially those done to Ludovico).
Also? Molly includes some biology with regards to childbirth that hardly anyone else includes or discusses, so kudos for going there, thank you very much.
Molly Greeley includes sources and suggestions for further reading, as well, for those interested in extending their exploration. Always a plus....more
A nice mix of powerful and entertaining. As I am not Black, I didn't understand every poem NETGALLEY ARC
Cover: 5 Enjoyment: 4 Buyable/Re-readable?: Yes.
A nice mix of powerful and entertaining. As I am not Black, I didn't understand every poem or piece, but that is to be expected (heck, that's to be expected with ANY poetry). Being a third generation genocide survivor through my dad's side, however, I was able to connect on some level for the darker things. And then the mythology stories were just fun.
My ARC had a few 'Author Biography Forthcoming' bits at the end, which is fine. The typos, being as numerous as they were, were a tad distracting.
I particularly enjoyed, "The Feeding Of Closed Mouths" (Eden Royce), "Abode" (Jermane Cooper), and "Both Hands" (Christopher Caldwell)
And then ;
"And finally, he told her that everyone came to at least one fork in the road during their lifetime. One way might lead to a best life even though family and friends might not agree while the other way might work well for everyone except the person who has to live with the decision." - THE VISITby Tina Jenkins Bell
Honestly, I wanted more story, more memories. I very much feel that this could have been longer, that it would benefit from a tad more fleshing out. More, like, snapshots into author’s life, because we don’t always get a follow through or wrap up conclusion to certain incidents and that was a little disappointing. The art style wasn't for me; not great, however, it really fits the story. If IRL hadn't gotten in the way, I easily could have read it in one sitting, it’s hookable and relatable in various ways from PoC, assault, time period setting (knew references and liked some), female woes, dad issue woes, stepfamily woes, etc etc
I'm glad I took a blind leap and requested this, because I just saw the words 'graphic memoir' and 'Egypt' and hit that button, heh. Nice coming of age story.
Also, my favorite part was probably the AIM reference!!! Ah, nostalgia. I miss AIM. And I hear you, Malaka, I hear you, xD...more
Welp, the title is no longer cute and quirky. No, it is now Sad AF. ;___; This book? It will leave you in shambles, it will fuck you up. It's brutal. It's simultaneously rough and wonderful. And not just the fictional characters lives, but the history woven within (China, Hong Kong, Japan). We get the story told in two voices, alternating chapters; Lily (daughter) in present day and first person, and then Sook-Yin (mother) in the past and in third person. Wharton's writing composition is superior and vastly intelligent. Sometimes I needed sentences to be reworded in order for me to understand them, which made the book’s reading level a nice and healthy sort of challenge. I did, however, forget names/characters if I stepped away for too long but that might be a result of a Western brain. Not sure, it wasn't a huge set back either way. For this and the exceptional story, I would read it again, equipped with my Know-the-Ending-Now knowledge. I adored a few of the female characters (and the cast is mostly female), whilst others were pretty brutal. I do kind of wish we had gotten even just a tiny note about keeping in touch with certain characters, once the third act had resolved, but I also think you can get enough of a feel from the implied tone. Or maybe I’m just creating head-canon, it’s fine, we’re fine, everything is fine.
I learned a lot, having to pause to Google places and the like and I enjoyed the detours. Definitely appreciated the amount of work put into this novel, everything felt one hundred percent authentic, genuine....more
I connected with this novel so very much, from octopi/octopuses being a favorite animal, to being extremely empathetic, to adoring animals period, to giving a shit about the earth, etc, AND because I was fortunate enough to meet a lovely lady octopus. I had the honor of meeting her (nameless, in compliance with an olde seafaring superstition that giving names equates death) at the Houston Zoo for a birthday. Because I would visit her every time I went to the zoo - and this was often, because we lived within walking distance and purchased passe - she came to know my face (it's true what the book says that they remember faces). Upon doing the behind-the-scenes encounter, she recognized me! It was beyond words and when she died, I was heartbroken. Needless to say, I pictured her throughout this amazing, unique, fun, emotional, relevant novel. The passion and research put into Nayler's work is so very obvious and I appreciate everything. We get multiple, third person POV chapters, nearly all of which have their own voice. It wasn't 100% at all times, but it was certainly close enough. The chapters are broken by two articles/essays; one written by a main character and the other by an important secondary character. I personally enjoyed them both enough to read the entire essay, so if you feel like releasing that, Ray, I'm down. The passages are, of course, pertinent to the following scenes. Also, ummmm, does this mean we're getting a sequel??? Gimme.
Along with Kaikeyi, Ray Nayler's The Mountain in the Sea makes my Top Ten of 2022.
P.S. I see what you did with the cover. Clever....more
Plot: 5 Characters: 4.5 Writing Style: 5 Cover: 5!!! I want it as a poster! Enjoyment: 5 Buyable/Re-readable?: Yes.
Having recently returned frNETGALLEY ARC
Plot: 5 Characters: 4.5 Writing Style: 5 Cover: 5!!! I want it as a poster! Enjoyment: 5 Buyable/Re-readable?: Yes.
Having recently returned from Colorado, it honestly made reading this all the more enjoyable and special, as I pictured myself back there when envisioning the book’s setting. If I had had a chance to read it outside whilst there, I totally would have. Makes sense, too, since the author resides near the Rockies.
Somer has a most fantastic writing style, some things gorgeous, some fierce. There were a few very intense scenes that had me holding my breath or unconsciously tensing my muscles. Somer was able to evoke emotions (especially if one is empathetic towards animals and the like - if you view other living things as commodities, as items, then I can't guarantee you'll appreciate this novel to its fullest extent). I teared up, for sure. It drops you right into the story and doesn’t provide much background/past information, but what we are given is enough. Including the ending, I think. There's a neat as a heck concept he introduces in the post-apocalyptic setting, as well, called Earth Dreams. I'll let him and the main character, Ben, explain it -
"‘Some of the first migrants are suffering them, these vivid, completely immersive dreams of Earth. Where they’re in a jungle or a forest or on the plains, and there’re herds of animals, swarms of insects, and the sounds of birdsong on the breeze....(T)hey say that Earth Dreams are the brain’s way of coping with the fact it’ll never see Earth again.....(A) resurgence of two-hundred-thousand-year-old memories from the deepest folds of our brains, something to comfort those who go farther from home than anyone has ever been, knowing they won’t be returning.....(W)e know how our bodies can deal with it, we don’t have much a clue how our brains will. The primal brain is set up to react, not to think. It’s there to make us survive at all costs. Doesn’t seem out of the question that it would start taking over, fighting for us where our conscious brain has failed. Genetic memory they’re calling it. A manifest of evolution, buried deep in our heads.�"
Love it, believe it, insanely cool and unique.
There's also a scene towards the end of the amazing book where the main character performs such an intimate, loving, respectful act that had me nodding my head and thinking, 'Yep, I would do the exact same thing'.
For fans of post-apocalyptic, space travel (-ish, since we stay on Earth but it's discussed numerous times), animal protection/ranger duties.
"So that we encourage and bolster the world’s hunger to thrive. And not just because that would benefit us, although it certainly would, but because other life-forms have as much right to flourish as we do and don’t exist for our use." - Kristin Ohlson
I want to thank everyone involved in getting this book made and to whomever allowed me the honor of reading it.
Yes. Just yes. Read this book, devour it, soak it in, listen to it.
We need this research and information out there, because Kristin Ohlson reveals how everything is literally connected and amazing. Animals and bacteria and urban spaces and people and on and on, that we are not red in tooth in claw, but the opposite. It will resonate with those who appreciate and revere nature, those who respect and love it, those who feel a connection to flora and fauna and Earth and life, it'll resonate with farmers and scientists and just...yes.
The photos are a wonderful compliment to the text, some being downright stunning. The people Ohlson chose to interview, follow, include, etc are essential and so very important, the kind of not-all-heroes-wear-capes sort. They're the people we need for the change(s) we need and they're doing such phenomenal work already. This book simply instills HOPE. She gives proper credit, extensive amounts of material, and writes in such a fashion that the book isn't dry or dull; her personality and vivacious passion sing though the pages (I want to meet her. I need to meet her.). The pace, the style, the content, they're all A+, *chef's kiss*, perfect. Important and vital and magical. I geeked out over parts (tree language, hello??) and was constantly chattering about what I was reading to my husband. There were fun quotes at the beginning of each chapter and a well-deserved near novella's work list of names of all involved. Honestly, I feel like I could write a novella myself about how much I appreciate and adore Sweet in Tooth and Claw. This book makes Top Ten of 2022.
I will buy this book. I would buy this book for library or classroom if I had one, I'll buy it for my nephew or niece.
"The whole point of our evolution, it seems to me, is for us to find a way to fit back into the world as it is, rather than try to remake the world to fit us." - Brian Doyle
A Broken Zebra
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