I have to admit I was sold on trying this book when I spotted it on Netgalley and it was compared as the second comer in the world made by "The Night I have to admit I was sold on trying this book when I spotted it on Netgalley and it was compared as the second comer in the world made by "The Night Circus." Not by the same author but a spiritual sibling of it, deal with circus's, magic, and the endless history woven through all of those things.
I'm deeply curious about this book, the alluding lead up to the magic and Legend's Circus (which tells its story only from the outside, unlike its parallel, and like most easy-entry young adult books) and I'm very much looking forward to how this book will turn out.
(I will definitely tell you whether to read it later, Karen.)
Merged review:
I have to admit I was sold on trying this book when I spotted it on Netgalley and it was compared as the second comer in the world made by "The Night Circus." Not by the same author but a spiritual sibling of it, deal with circus's, magic, and the endless history woven through all of those things.
I'm deeply curious about this book, the alluding lead up to the magic and Legend's Circus (which tells its story only from the outside, unlike its parallel, and like most easy-entry young adult books) and I'm very much looking forward to how this book will turn out.
(I will definitely tell you whether to read it later, Karen.)...more
Thank you to The Muse Frequency, BooksGoSocial Audio, and Netgalley for this free advanced read copy of "Diary of an Artist in Love" for an honest revThank you to The Muse Frequency, BooksGoSocial Audio, and Netgalley for this free advanced read copy of "Diary of an Artist in Love" for an honest review.
Wow. This was an experience. This was so new and different. I absolutely understand the recommendation to lay down with a blindfold and listen to this, though I fear if I'd done that I might have fallen asleep, but this was SO atmospheric, so calming, so deeply loving. I recommend this to everyone!
Thank you to Marissa Meyer (author), Stacy Carolan (narrator), Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, and Netgalley for this advanced listener coThank you to Marissa Meyer (author), Stacy Carolan (narrator), Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, and Netgalley for this advanced listener copy of "With a Little Luck" (Fortuna Beach #2) for an honest review.
Once upon a time, I had this deep love affair with Meyer, and I don't remember what made me wander off the path of following her books (nothing terrible, assuredly), but this was a reminder to get back on the right straight and narrow with her words in my world. I did not realize that 'With a Little Luck' was the second book in a series, and, as such, it stood just fine as a solo, standalone read as well.
I love that this book plays with the notion of getting what you think you want vs what you actually want, with the fact we can blind ourselves to what that is by force of repetition. The family, both natural and found (of people adopted into the main characters' family and those of the close friends), scenarios in this are all so warm and wonderful. My heart soared at how much music played into this. My heart swelled for all three of the main characters in this triangle that was most certainly not a triangle. It was such a beautiful, fresh take on getting what you thought you wanted to realize what you did and how it set everyone involved free in the process.
I'm looking forward to reading book #1 (and #3!). ...more
Thank you to Julia Cameron (author), Eliza Foss (narrator), Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for this free advanced reader/listener copy of "Living the Thank you to Julia Cameron (author), Eliza Foss (narrator), Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for this free advanced reader/listener copy of "Living the Artist's Way: An Intuitive Path to Greater Creativity" for an honest review.
A fan of Cameron's whole 'Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity' series, I jumped at the chance to review this arc. Sadly, I find myself one of the people Cameron self-admits in the earliest parts of the book might find it too "woo-woo." I originally thought that couldn't be the case, being a deeply spiritual person of non-traditional variant for any decades—but, alas, she was right.
I think this will work well for people who enjoyed her book on prayer and that it's rather religious leaning rather than spiritual leaning. I do think it would work better in the workbook format, as it's harder in the audio to work through things or reference back to them. ...more
Thank you to Cheryl Strayed, Amazon Original Stories, and Netgalley for this free advanced reader copy of "Two Women Walk Into a Bar" for an honest reThank you to Cheryl Strayed, Amazon Original Stories, and Netgalley for this free advanced reader copy of "Two Women Walk Into a Bar" for an honest review.
A long ago, but very staunchly pro, fan of "Wild", I jumped at this one when I saw Strayed's name on it. I'm uncertain how I feel coming out of this readthough. I'm not really sure I loved it, but I think that's more because I'm beginning to head into the dicey waters of these circumstances with my aging stepfather & it's set my off into the murky waters of leave-taking, reflection, and taking time for goodbyes.
This narrative is heartwrenching and yet deeply beautiful....more
Thank you to Kelly Link, Random House Publishing Group - Random House, Random House, and Netgalley for this free advanced reader copy of "The Book of Thank you to Kelly Link, Random House Publishing Group - Random House, Random House, and Netgalley for this free advanced reader copy of "The Book of Love: A Novel" for an honest review.
This was my very first Kelly Link read, but recommended by so many familiar names, I couldn't help but take the plunge. The Book of Love is a dark fantasy novel set in the current day, in a town called Love's End, where magic has suddenly sprung afoot in the reappearance (/resurrection) of three missing children who are brought back but must take part in an esoteric and unrevealing game to win themselves the chance to stay alive.
The characters in this book feel so real—in their strengths and growths, but especially their humanity, complexity, and flaws. I fell a little in love with all the characters in it, even the ones you aren't supposed to like, and I was interested in all of their lives off the page, both before and after the novel takes place. I am definitely looking forward to more books by Kelly Link (and maybe even crossing my fingers for a sequel)....more
Thank you to T. Kingfisher (author), Avi Roque (narrator), Macmillan Audio, and.Netgalley for this free advance listener copy of "What Feasts at NightThank you to T. Kingfisher (author), Avi Roque (narrator), Macmillan Audio, and.Netgalley for this free advance listener copy of "What Feasts at Night" (Sworn Soldier #2) for an honest review.
Last year when "What Moves the Dead" came out, I finally crossed the line between vaguely knowing the name T. Kingfisher (and Ursula Vernon) into the land of someone who LOVED her deeply. I picked up the first Sworn Soldier #1 because it was this perfect cross of a classic retelling of "Fall of the House of Usher" merged with even more modern horror and a flash of genderqueer upgrading. Which, of course, meant I was OVER THE MOON the day it was announced there'd be a sequel, and then even more so when it popped up on here.
This book was just as delightful as the first one, continuing Easton's journey back home to Galicia and processing the combined layers of coming to terms with both (a) what he'd missed while he was away in the war and (b) the post-traumatic stress and trauma left over from said war still taking its effects upon him, and his compatriot, from time to time. What follows is a lovely romp through the tugging tails of science and superstition, desperation and faith.
I truly do hope this series get even more sequels.
Thank you to Trista Mateer, Central Avenue Publishing, and Netgalley for a free advanced reader copy of "Persephone Made Me Do It" for an honest revieThank you to Trista Mateer, Central Avenue Publishing, and Netgalley for a free advanced reader copy of "Persephone Made Me Do It" for an honest review.
I have unabashedly loved, raved, and passed out copies of Trista Mateer's 'Myth & Magik' series. This book is the third in the collection, and I continue to be as blown away by this one as both of the ones before it.
I love the pieces written from the goddesses' point of view. I was absolutely gobsmacked by the choice not to name Hades ever, because this is her book/her story/her trauma/her life/her healing/her regain of power and very much not his. I loved the parallels we saw with the author and her own life, mother, loves, lostness, and climbing out of the darkness. The across the book also left me in such awe, ripe and riveting with the color, the images, and the words....more
Thank you to T. Kingfisher, Tor Publishing Group, Tor Books, and Netgalley for this free advanced reader copy of "Thornhedge" for an honest review.
I Thank you to T. Kingfisher, Tor Publishing Group, Tor Books, and Netgalley for this free advanced reader copy of "Thornhedge" for an honest review.
I have to admit, I've been on a Kingfisher kick since I read "What Moves The Dead," and I loved that this one was going to be the take on rewriting Sleeping Beauty. I love, love, loved this retelling. I love that it's told from the point of view of the baby swapped with the changing, and that we turned the curse, and why the curse happened, what the hedge is keeping in and keeping out. I definitely advise this to everyone who has a love of fairy-tellings and their reworking! ...more
Thank you to Sara O'Leary, Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books, and Netgalley for this free advance reader copy of "The Little Books of the LittThank you to Sara O'Leary, Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books, and Netgalley for this free advance reader copy of "The Little Books of the Little Brontës" for an honest review.
I love the Bronte's, and a fan of other retellings of the children's lives (circa pieces like Valente's "The Glass Town Game"); I immediately jumped at this book when I saw it. I teach at the college level for English, and I deeply appreciate watching things made in these versions for teenagers and children. This book was adorable, sweet, and charming, telling us about the children's adventures without quite getting into the horrors and losses those children faced later.
I love this as a starter for younger kids, getting them to know the names, and I'm definitely going to be gifting this (and some of the earlier books in the series, too!!!!) to my nieces and nephews this year. ...more
Thank you to Veronica Roth, Dion Graham, January LaVoy, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for this free advanced reader copy of "Arch-Conspirator" for anThank you to Veronica Roth, Dion Graham, January LaVoy, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for this free advanced reader copy of "Arch-Conspirator" for an honest review.
Stop. The. Presses.
The second I saw that this was a retelling of Antigone, I was all over my need to have it in my hot little hands, and let me tell you, not one single second of it disappointed. I'm already advising that people in my department teaching Antigone start considering doing this modern, post-apocalyptic retelling side-by-side with it. There are so many amazing pieces to this story, and it's shifted even further into what makes up a person and what makes up the human soul.
I was over the moon entirely when I realized that, while the prevalent voice of narration was Antigone (as is rightfully so, given its her story!), we were getting a chapter from nearly every character throughout the whole cast. My riveting to the need to here everyone's way they saw it, what they were showing off and what they were keeping close to the vest ran so deep and hard. I cannot wait to start getting everyone to read and listen to this once it publishes ....more
Thank you to Gabrielle Zevin, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, Knopf, and Netgalley for this free advanced reader copy of "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, anThank you to Gabrielle Zevin, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, Knopf, and Netgalley for this free advanced reader copy of "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" for an honest review.
I have to admit I knew I would finally pick this up and read it sooner or later. I was pushing myself through several book challenges at the end of the year and new releases at the start of the year, but my friends all kept at me to start this book because they loved it so much and were dearly hopeful that I would, too. And I did.
I have SO MANY feelings about this book and about the fact the love story centered in this book is that of a lifelong platonic, yet deeply emotionally-loved-based, the bond between friends that are still at the center of both people no matter if they aren't talking for years or one of them gets married. This book is start, middle, and end about Sam and Saddie. It's part of why I suddenly felt vindicated about Marx (who--yes!--I did love, don't mistake me when I say this) not having any two-dimensions depth as a character when his chapter was titled "The NPC."
I loved the look at learning the gaming industry from being a college student to being people who were starting/running a company, to the wholly other side where our student was the teacher. I love the importance of the made game being called children, and even more how much Sam and Saddie will raise her daughter together eventually, too....more
Thank you to Seanan McGuire (author), Jesse Vilinsky (narrator), Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for this(Combination review for Wayward Child #8 & #9)
Thank you to Seanan McGuire (author), Jesse Vilinsky (narrator), Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for this advanced listener copy of ""Mislaid in Parts Half-Known," book 9 of the Wayward Children Series.
I've always had a ho-hum relationship with this series. It has everything I should want in a portal fantasy, and yet it's always fallen flat. And yet, unable to stop reading them because I have a yearly dedication to reading all the Hugo Award nominees and Wayward Children remains in there, I have remained doggedly in this race as well. Interestingly enough, this is the first time I've decided to ALC one.
Having last stopped at "Drowned Girls," this was a skip of two short stories and a novel since I left off last fall, but that turned out for the best. This book stepped up its game massively, and it's the first novella in the series to leave being marked at only 3 stars. This is FINALLY more like what I wanted. Falling through multiple doors successively. Finding a nexus. Talking about surety & ownership & the moral ambiguity between the world vs. the child it summoned, children who don’t want to go back being just as right as those who do, & what is the healthy or unhealthy way to handle all those things.
If you've stuck out this series this long, things are looking up! I'm cautiously almost looking forward to the next one now, and not dreading the catch-up on the three pieces I missed....more
Thank you to James Crew, Storey Publishing, Storey Publishing, LLC, Netgalley and all of the authors involved with the creation/puSpring 2022 (April);
Thank you to James Crew, Storey Publishing, Storey Publishing, LLC, Netgalley and all of the authors involved with the creation/publication of 'The Path to Kindness' received a free arc for an honest review.
I loved this little book of poetry more than I thought it would be possible when I first opened it. It's about all the small and big moments where kindness (and every other emotion) touches a life, traces to the veins of all we've been, are, and might/will be. I found myself with my fingers at my lips or my hand over my heart at several of these, seeing my life reflected across so many lives and words and hearts....more
Thank you to Shannon Webb-Campbell, Book*hug Press, and Netgalley for this advance reader digital copy of Lunar Tides for an honest review.
"Here's t Thank you to Shannon Webb-Campbell, Book*hug Press, and Netgalley for this advance reader digital copy of Lunar Tides for an honest review.
"Here's the thing about vulnerability: there's no denying its instincts"
I was drawn to this small book of poetry through the title's reference to the moon, a forever gravitation of mine. I was delighted to see the interior of the book processed through all of the phases of the moon, as well.
The poetry in this book fell very middle of the road for me, which I was surprised about. There were some stunning lines (like the above) that etched themselves like ink into my heart and my soul as soon as I read them, and then there were pages on pages where I felt I was looking at collections of first draft pieces that hadn't been workshopped to finesse yet....more
Thank you to Misha Collins, Andrews McMeel Audio, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and Netgalley for a free audio-galley arc of 'Some ThSpring 2022 (April)'
Thank you to Misha Collins, Andrews McMeel Audio, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and Netgalley for a free audio-galley arc of 'Some Things I Still Can't Tell You' for an honest review.
I was definitely first interested in this based on the writer. This is the first collected work I've read by Collins, and it was nice for it to be a self-narrated collection of his poetry. While the poetry is not perfect, I felt there was something yearning and flawed and deeply human throughout the whole struggle of the chronological working of the order of the pieces.
While I appreciate his note in the afterward about how poetry volumes never make a publisher money, perhaps his book will see a little bit more movement due to the higher set pf his cap post-Supernatural, with his 'Army of Good' collective across the internet. ...more
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