It's absolutely refreshing to read smart fantasy that contains not a whit of romance. Not that I have anything against romance, but sometimes I want pIt's absolutely refreshing to read smart fantasy that contains not a whit of romance. Not that I have anything against romance, but sometimes I want plot and character relationships that develop in other ways.
Artemesia wants to live an uneventful life as a nun. However, given her talents with The Sight and fighting off the influence of possession, The Lady has another fate in store for her. Things are further complicated when Artemisia invites a powerful Revenant inside her head, and they must combine their powers to fight conspiracies and powerful undead.
From a thematic stance, the best part of this novel is its exploration of trauma and the responses people can have to it. To put it bluntly: Artemesia is fucked up, the Revenant is fucked up, and so are a few other people in the story. But being fucked up doesn't make them unworthy, or bad, or incapable of growth, or any less powerful. Rogerson explores her characters traumas from a place of compassion and knowledge that seems to be rooted in their own experiences....more
After three chapters, this turned into a big nope from me.
I knew it was bad from chapter one, but I thought this could be a silly, campy hate read. BAfter three chapters, this turned into a big nope from me.
I knew it was bad from chapter one, but I thought this could be a silly, campy hate read. But between the ridiculously purple prose and the absolutely flimsy characterization of the main character, this wasn't even fun enough to make fun of....more
It's time for a super cozy slow-burn fairy romance!Â
Emily is a scholar at Cambridge determined to write the world's most comprehensive encyclopedia onIt's time for a super cozy slow-burn fairy romance!Â
Emily is a scholar at Cambridge determined to write the world's most comprehensive encyclopedia on the types of fairies that exist in the world. The last entry in her work is the Hidden Ones, mysterious fairies that live high up in the snowy arctic. She travels to a tiny village to do her research, accompanied by her friend/intellectual competition Wendell Bambleby. Cozy adventures ensue.Â
Emily is coded to be a neuro-divergent character. She has problems reading the emotions and social cues of other characters, she hyper-fixates on her areas of interest, and repeatedly admits that she feels like she doesn't fit in well with society. I appreciate that Fawcett let her character change and grow, but that didn't include "getting over" her neuro-diversity. She remains true to herself while expanding her horizons.Â
Wendell Bambleby is not an obvious romantic pairing with Emily. In fact, my biggest complaint about the book is that there seems to be very little chemistry between them. Emily is annoyed by him, annoyed by him, annoyed by him, and then BAM, suddenly contemplating spending her entire life with him. But as a character, Bambleby is a fun counter to Emily; he's boisterous, extroverted, and her attitudes do not phase him.Â
I didn't love the ending of this book -- with so much emphasis on the fae being bound to stories and loopholes in their deals, I wanted a cleverer ending wrapped up in a much neater bow. "Successfully running away from your problems" was not what I was expecting. Disappointment with the ending knocked my rating from four to three stars. ...more
A retelling of the origins of Camelot told from the perspective of Arthur's half-sister, Morgan Le Fay. I'm a sucker for Arthurian legend and also femA retelling of the origins of Camelot told from the perspective of Arthur's half-sister, Morgan Le Fay. I'm a sucker for Arthurian legend and also female-centric retellings of myths, so I was really excited about this one.
Morgan is usually portrayed as one of the big villains in Arthur's story, his witchy, resentful half-sister. I was especially curious how they redeemed her... or perhaps didn't.
I appreciated that this story kept the magic in, instead of trying to root it in history and reality. Merlin and Morgan tap into their supernatural powers, one for ill and one for good. I sometimes enjoy historical fiction about tribal kings squabbling, but I don't want that in my Arthurian novels.
I was disappointed that for the majority of the book, Morgan had things happen to her, and she had very little agency in choosing her actions. I understand this is a series, but book one definitely felt like all set-up, moving the pieces into place for the next part of the story....more
My niece, who checked this out from the library all by herself, rated this 100/5. Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ falls short in its rating system, so 5 stars will have to My niece, who checked this out from the library all by herself, rated this 100/5. Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ falls short in its rating system, so 5 stars will have to do....more
Appalachian horror is a new subgenre from me, but I think I might be a fan.
Revelator is creepy, twisty, and also relatable. I started the book knowinAppalachian horror is a new subgenre from me, but I think I might be a fan.
Revelator is creepy, twisty, and also relatable. I started the book knowing very little of the plot, besides the very intriguing phrase "god in the mountain." Gregory stayed one step ahead of me the entire time, although every twist made absolute sense in the narrative.
Stella is such a bitch, but in the best way. She's an extremely damaged character and understandably so, but her struggles to do the right thing and relate to the people who love and trust her make her believable....more
A lovely short story collection for anyone who is already a fan of Naomi Novik's worth, with several of the stories set in her existing worlds. The ScA lovely short story collection for anyone who is already a fan of Naomi Novik's worth, with several of the stories set in her existing worlds. The Scholomancy story was my favorite, offering new depths to an already rich mythology.
The audiobook has a different narrator for each story, which is always a pleasure and keeps the listening experience fresh....more
This is an excellent collection for anyone who wants to dive into classic British and American authors. Washington Irving, Robert Louis Stevenson, EdgThis is an excellent collection for anyone who wants to dive into classic British and American authors. Washington Irving, Robert Louis Stevenson, Edgar Allen Poe, Bram Stoker... the gang's all here. And beside The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the selected stories may be new to most readers.
This is also a great collection for those who enjoy Stephen Fry's narration and his dulcet tones. The man can flip from BBC posh to "just off the dockyards" in an instant.
This is not a great collection for anyone who enjoys short, succinct modern writing styles. I swear, there wasn't an adjective and adverb that any of these authors left on the editing room floor. Irving, in particular, could draw out a tale. He spent six minutes telling a ghost story and fifty-four minutes describing clothing, food, the temperament of horses, and the dancing ability of various gentlemen....more
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