This was a fast-paced, clever, steampunk Rumplestiltskin retelling full of twists and surprises and totally worthy of devouring in one sitting.
There wThis was a fast-paced, clever, steampunk Rumplestiltskin retelling full of twists and surprises and totally worthy of devouring in one sitting.
There were so many moments when the author’s prose just ascends to another level of beauty and it was a sight to behold. It was well plotted and full of action and fantastic world-building, alchemy and magic - all working together to keep me frantically turning pages. This is a book to lose yourself in for a few hours, yet will stay with you for a long time afterwards.
I particularly loved Nadya and Ruhen, and how unproblematic and s w e e t they were. It was refreshing to witness how their relationship unfolds when most YA these days is more concerned with redeeming villains than appreciating the ones who’ve stuck by from the beginning.
Read this one if you love retellings with a twist, compelling characters, and dark steampunk vibes.
4.5 stars And 5++++ stars to the most gorgeous cover ever.
It would be difficult to say that I loved this book, because it deals with such devastating themes that at times had me in mourning alongside the mainIt would be difficult to say that I loved this book, because it deals with such devastating themes that at times had me in mourning alongside the main characters. But I certainly felt this story very keenly, delivered straight to my core with its gripping, lyrical prose.
The Mercies is a historical banquet of highly researched details, which I consumed with a deep appreciation. The vivid descriptions of the clothing (right down to the stained skirts), food, bleak landscape, and daily rituals of the village women transported me right to this frigid arctic town of Vardo, Norway, famous for its witch trials in the early 1600s. It’s those details that remind me why I love historical fiction so.
This book is about the real events surrounding the Vardo witch trials but it’s not just a historical retelling. At the heart of this story is a glimpse at the darkest parts of humanity that drive us to obsession and mistrust. With a feminist touch, it asks us to look out at our current world and the ways we may still be looking to burn that which we fear.
So, no, I don’t think I loved this book, at least not in the way one loves a beloved story that makes their soul sing. But I am haunted by it. It is beautifully written, and I know this one will be etched in my memory for a long time. You can be sure I will pick up anything Kiran Millwood Hargrave writes from now on....more
What has adventure, slooooow burn romance, Welsh folklore (I need more of it now!), chronic pain rep, and hands down the best literary goat you'll eveWhat has adventure, slooooow burn romance, Welsh folklore (I need more of it now!), chronic pain rep, and hands down the best literary goat you'll ever become acquainted with? This. Book.
Oh hi, I absolutely loved this special, strange, magical little story and consumed it in it's entirety in one sitting. Emily Lloyd-Jones was a new author for me but her writing style has snagged my heart forever. Please excuse me, I must go acquire her other books immediately because, what a talent.
This book read like a story worn smooth by generations of retelling, with a heartbeat that wound with mine until I felt completely one with this magical forest setting and heartfelt character arcs of loss and grief and strength. Though it was a quick read, I wanted it to never end.
The Wolf in the Whale was a book that I expected to enjoy but found myself surprised by how much I ended up loving! so many feels - this book is grim,The Wolf in the Whale was a book that I expected to enjoy but found myself surprised by how much I ended up loving! so many feels - this book is grim, brutal, heartbreaking. the wolf in the whale is a powerful exploration of survival in the most barren of landscapes, family loyalty, and gender fluidity in a time that afforded no leniency for challenging the established ways.
these characters, especially omat and brandr, got under my skin and spoke to me deeply. i’ve never read anything like omat, an Inuit with a female body who has inherited the soul of her dead father. it was completely fascinating to experience Inuit spiritual beliefs through her character.
the Inuit and Norse cultures are meticulously researched and etched out in intricate detail with many magical elements mixed in, making this a book for history and fantasy lovers alike. i am of the opinion that we need much more aboriginal and non-binary rep like this and I am so very full of appreciation for this beautiful tale.
now please excuse me, i’m going to go have a nice long cathartic cry.
{trigger warning for graphic violence and rape.}
4 stars
thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.<\I>...more
I was so lucky to have the chance to read this one early (thanks so much for sending me a copy, Rae!) and let me tell you, it reached out of the pagesI was so lucky to have the chance to read this one early (thanks so much for sending me a copy, Rae!) and let me tell you, it reached out of the pages and grabbed my undying attention from the very first scene and I could hardly look away from then on. Somehow Rae has woven a gritty, desperate chase of a story through with a surprisingly thoughtful outlook on the push/pull of human violence and guilt along with achingly beautiful and evocative writing.
So listen up: Rae DelBianco is a strong new voice in the book community right out of the gate and you won’t want to miss this perfect summer read!...more
I loved so many elements of this Tristan and Isolde retelling, particularly those to do with the Celtic inspired mytholoODAI ETI AMA I hate and I love
I loved so many elements of this Tristan and Isolde retelling, particularly those to do with the Celtic inspired mythology and magic. The story notwithstanding, I could walk around in this coastal setting of medieval Ireland and experience the whimsy of Otherworld creatures and magical lore all day. It’s a hauntingly beautiful backdrop to an age-old story.
Being familiar with the story of Tristan and Isolde, I was expecting plenty of melancholy romance and my expectations were met on that account. I wasn’t prepared for how devastating the ending would be, however. I could sense things spiralling out of control toward the end, but like a punch in the gut, it took my breath away at the very last. I’m still a little dumbfounded and now I must know how everything resolves because it’s just downright not fair to end a book like that, thank you very much.
My only wish for this book is that there was MORE. More descriptive sentences and more subtlety, more nuanced relationship development. I continuously felt like I wanted to squeeze something from the book that wasn’t being delivered and it left me feeling a little unsatisfied.
It’s a highly promising start to a new trilogy and I’ll certainly be waiting to see how this story untangles in book two.
Thank you to the publisher for sending a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own....more
Thank you to the publisher for sending an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“I thought once that gods are thThank you to the publisher for sending an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“I thought once that gods are the opposite of death, but I see now they are more dead than anything, for they are unchanging, and can hold nothing in their hands.�
I dove into Circe equipped with only the knowledge that I love anything to do with mythology and folklore and that does not exclude the Greek variety. But I was not prepared for how much it would come to move me by the end. I assure you it’s as beautiful on the inside as that swoon-worthy cover.
I haven’t read The Song of Achilles yet (though you better believe it’s a priority now), even though Circe is marketed as a follow up. From the synopsis it sounded promising as a standalone novel so I decided to give it a try. I’m happy to say I didn’t feel like I was missing anything from Achilles. Even my middle grade level understanding of Greek mythology and an even more basic grasp on the story of the Odyssey was enough to get by. In short, this was an accessible read on its own. Pick this book up and give it a try whether you know these stories backwards or are just being introduced.
Miller has given new meaning to the phrase “sweeping tale� with a story that spans centuries; the lifetime of a deity. It reads more like a portrait or memoir of the witch of Aiaia from The Odyssey rather than a plot-driven adventure. It’s definitely more of a slow build but fear not - I never once found it dull or lacking in magic, bloodshed, and angst.
Madeline Miller may just be a witch herself because Circe was like a careful incantation that drew me in with its magic from start to finish. This richly detailed reimagining of Greek gods and goddesses, monsters and mortals, hit all the emotional stops for me and is not a story I will soon forget....more
to be totally honest, i’m starting to get a little bored of the overdone tropes and predictable storylineso i think this is what addiction feels like.
to be totally honest, i’m starting to get a little bored of the overdone tropes and predictable storylines prevalent in a lot of YA fantasy. and then there’s Holly Black, Queen of the Faeries. there is something about her mind-bending plots and backstabbing characters that is so energizing and life-giving amidst a sea of unremarkable books.
if by some chance you weren’t immediately hooked by The Cruel Prince, i think you will find this one to be much more engaging. it’s everything i loved about the first book but somehow just more of it. more intense, more magical, more cheeky. each page is packed with intrigue, mischief, and all the little details that bring this magical forest setting to life. i devoured it.
having read two books in this trilogy now, i’ve realized that a few things still irk me about jude, our main character, but i still liked her more in this book than in The Cruel Prince. it was so easy to become fully immersed into the story through her narrative because Black has done a remarkable job fleshing her out and giving her a distinctive voice that drives the entire story. i am full of admiration of her strength and resilience, even if she is a bit too controlling/overly ambitious for my liking. she might not be warm but she is a total badass.
and then there’s cardan. oh, cardan, my chaotic, angry boy. i loved how much depth his character is given in this book! he has come into surprising new powers that gave me goosebumps and i’m most interested to see where Black is taking his part of the story. let’s just say that i am here for this ship, even if i end up going down into the waves.
as with The Cruel Prince, this book truly kept me guessing until the bitter (and oh, was it bitter) end. i can just picture Holly Black writing with a mischievous grin, knowing how much of a fool she will make of us, because let me warn you now: whatever you think is happening, is very very likely not what is actually happening. the twists and turns are many, and that ENDING. there is nothing that prepared me for how many pieces of my shattered heart i’d be picking up off the floor. you have been warned.
guys, the hype is real and i am hopelessly addicted to these books. it’s going to be long wait until 2020 for The Queen of Nothing.
~ 5/5 stabby faeries
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review....more
You know that feeling when you find a book that speaks to some deep part of your soul and you just want to shout:
THIS is why I read.
This wintery trilYou know that feeling when you find a book that speaks to some deep part of your soul and you just want to shout:
THIS is why I read.
This wintery trilogy has become exactly that for me - reminding me of all the reasons why I love literature.
It’s not a secret that I loved the first two books in this magical trilogy with the burning fire of a thousand suns. So you can imagine how much I needed this book in my hands, and also how stressful a thing it is to embark into the last book of a series that has settled so deeply into ones bones.
But my friends, it was utter perfection from the first page until the last and I may go so far as to say it could be the strongest book of the three.
The story picks up seamlessly where The Girl in the Tower ended and right out of the gate we are put through some very harrowing scenes. Goodness, they put me through a lot of anxiety. The stakes are so much higher this time around and from those first moments onward I could not look away - the story barrels onward at a relentless pace. And now we finally see the full scope that Arden intended. The culmination of everything she was building towards in the perfectly paced slow burn of The Bear and the Nightingale, and the riotous action of The Girl in the Tower. It feels seamless how it has all come together and I’m just so giddy with delight.
Our girl, Vasya, is no longer a just a plucky, naive child. From the ashes of the Moscow fire she has risen into a woman with incredible new strength in more ways than one. But of course she remains wonderfully flawed - her character has even more dimension than ever. Arden has shown how much she really knows her characters because they have truly carried this story and made it heart-wrenching in all the best ways. She can make you feel for even the most minor supporting characters with just a few lines.
I think Studio Ghibli fans will appreciate the whimsical details in this one. We’ve been blessed with magical midnight roads, loveable mushroom spirits (hello new favourite sidekick character). It really is a fairytale written for grownups. And yet this tale will bring out the childlike wonder in even the most grown up of grownups. It’s delightfully subversive too- it upends the age old tropes of princes winning maidens, of monsters being slain. So many mischievous plot twists I did NOT expect.
I was also not prepared at all for these f e e l i n g s. I am still filled to the brim with them. This book broke me, then slowly pieced me back together until I wept with triumphant glee at the very end. And there is a certain PART that made me all asdkjfkslsjfks. You’ll know it when you get there. Aheeeem.
I gave this book a big, loving, emotionally exhausted hug when it was over. The ending was perfect and that is a rare thing so it probably shouldn’t be tampered with. BUT. I love these characters so damn much, my heart is crying for more more more of their adventures.
And that’s it. I can now wholeheartedly say: this, this is my favourite trilogy of all time. If I could persuade you to read one thing, let this be it. You may just love it as much as I do.
Good lord I think I just read the best book of 2018 and the year hasn’t even begun.
Review:
Okay, before we begin, I have a shameful secret to admit. ThGood lord I think I just read the best book of 2018 and the year hasn’t even begun.
Review:
Okay, before we begin, I have a shameful secret to admit. This was my first time reading a book by Holly Black.
She’s known as the queen of the faeries, and here I am of Irish heritage (I mean my mum was born there), fascinated by the folklore of the fae, and somehow Holly Black has slipped by me until now. You see why I’m deeply ashamed?
Okay, so now that I have that off my chest I can assure you all that it will absolutely not be the last time I read a book by Holly Black because wow.
Wow. Wow. Wow.
You know that wonderful, terrifying feeling when you finish an incredible book and you have approximately 423 books still unread on your bookshelf and yet you can’t bring yourself to pick up anything new because you’re certain nothing else will satisfy from now on? So you sit there and seriously consider just picking the damn book up again and starting from the beginning. This is me right now and I don’t know what to do with myself.
The Cruel Prince was absolutely addicting from start to finish. The writing is as sharp as a dagger; no words are wasted and every raw sentence pierced right through me. I was so completely immersed in this story that I started to lose my grip on reality a little and I was left feeling quite homesick for this wonderfully dark world that Holly Black has created. I found myself tangled up a thrilling story rich with intrigue and secrets that kept me guessing until the last page. It was about as dark a book can be and still be shelved as YA and I’m living for it. This book has teeth and it is out for blood.
Jude, Cardan, Vivi, Madoc; they were so full of dimension it was like they were right there in the room with me and we’d all sip Faerie wine out of acorn cups together.
Our main character, Jude, is a human girl raised in Faerie and her home is a treacherous place for mortals. She lives in fear of poisoned food and Faerie spells that can enchant her into a plaything for the mischievous Folk. She’s been exposed to some pretty traumatic experiences and has grown into an angry and self-preserving young woman with more than a small amount of darkness in her. A Mary-Sue Jude is certainly not; she’s highly unlikeable at times and Black is not afraid to put her through utter hell and back. I loved every moment with her.
Prince Cardan of Faerie is, we must admit, absolutely terrible and selfish. Ms. Black has fully committed to fleshing out a cruel anti-hero in him. Some of his scenes were difficult to read, and yet those few hints that there may be more to him under the surface made him a fascinating character. I did not expect for him to grow on me as he did but, sure enough, I am anxiously waiting to find out where his part in this story is headed.
I want to make a small mention about Jude’s romantic sub-plot because at first I found it to be the weakest part of the book but there was a twist which redeemed it for me. I’m glad for the unexpected way that it played out so I’m encouraging you to hang on tight if you’re not feeling it at the start.
It’s official; I’m moving to Faerie at that’s where you can find me from now on � dancing whole nights away in Faerie halls under enormous tree roots and sword-fighting my way to become a Seelie knight.
If you enjoy a good dark fantasy, you won’t want to miss this one coming January 2, 2018. I’ve preordered my finished copy because I’m hopelessly obsessed.
I’ve compiled a list of reasons why this is a Jane Eyre retelling worth reading:
-Charlotte Brontë is a main character and is so cleverly woven into thI’ve compiled a list of reasons why this is a Jane Eyre retelling worth reading:
-Charlotte Brontë is a main character and is so cleverly woven into the story -Mr. Darcy is mentioned several times and it is so strange and humorous -Wuthering Heights was quoted even though Emily Brontë makes an appearance as a teenage character and it’s highly unlikely it’s been written at this point -Helen Burns is a paranoid ghost friend to Jane throughout the book -just like with My Lady Jane, the satirical commentary on gender issues was spot on
I had read My Lady Jane a few months ago and it was quite simply one of the funniest books I’ve ever read, so there were big shoes to fill. While My Plain Jane is enormously amusing and drew many snorts and chuckles, I do have to say I didn’t find it QUITE as outrageously funny as the former. Maybe because it’s based on a story I’m more familiar with so it was harder to completely lose myself in the humour.
I must say that those who actually dislike Mr. Rochester and aren’t fond of how he treats Jane in the original will get a huge kick out of this one. I do love Rochester myself (I just can’t help it with all that BroodTM going on) but I can be a good sport and laugh at jokes at his expense because he really does ask for it, doesn’t he?
Though I do have to be honest, my least favourite parts were about Jane and Rochester directly. It’s not because they weren’t enjoyable - the twist on their romance are witty and hilarious. It’s just that Charlotte Brontë and her associate, Alexander Blackwell, really steal the spotlight and I wanted more of them.
There’s something so loveable about these books and yet so mischievously clever at the same time. Few stories make me laugh out loud like these ones do.
You’ll find anything but swoon-worthy romance on the moors in this comical Jane Eyre retelling - this is irreverent satire at its most absurd (and hilarious!).
There had better be more historical Jane stories to be retold, true or fictional, because I will read them ALL (and make sure I’m not drinking any beverages while I read them.)
Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review....more
It took me until at least halfway through to really get into the story but fortunately several of the (ama3.5 stars
Well, that was quite a bit of fun.
It took me until at least halfway through to really get into the story but fortunately several of the (amazingly diverse) characters were just so charming (Di! Jax!), so I enjoyed it anyways.
Honestly, if you didn’t think your heart could break for a robot, well... you’d be wrong. Just wait for it.
This was essentially cheesy banter and space pirates reminiscent of Firefly meets some lore about iron and stars and goddesses, meets Anastasia retelling.
I do wish that Ana’s character was a little more fully developed. She fits perfectly into the ‘one-dimensional feisty female� box, so that was a bit disappointing.
"Bear, I need your eyes. I need your nose. I need your night-wits and forest-wisdom."
A Skinful of Shadows was, in short, magical and mesmerizing. This"Bear, I need your eyes. I need your nose. I need your night-wits and forest-wisdom."
A Skinful of Shadows was, in short, magical and mesmerizing. This was my first Frances Hardinge book and it absolutely will not be my last. I have been completely taken by her imagination and vivid characters. This is the sort of book that is just as beautiful, if not more so, on the inside as the cover (and just LOOK at that cover!).
We are given an intriguing balancing act of well-researched historical detail surrounding the English civil war and a whimsical, sometimes dark, ghost story. It was such an earthy, autumnal read and getting to experience this book while the leaves were falling outside my window was so incredibly cozy and nostalgic.
The writing is minimalistic enough that it can be easily digested by any level of reader from middle grade and up - and yet it is masterfully crafted and full of beauty that will also appeal to adults who have an appreciation for imaginative stories.
The story is driven by lively characters who will draw you right in with promises of friendship, precarious loyalty, and plenty of secrets and intrigue. Makepeace (which isn't really her name, though we never get to learn what her true name is) displays a surprising strength and resourcefulness. She may be a small girl with little worldly influence but her wit and patience enable her to accomplish incredible things in an age where girls are considered mostly worthless. The quirky cast of side characters are humorous, not always reliable, and are introduced in such a unique way that I can't say too much about. � I'm not going to give too much more away because much of my enjoyment was in discovering it for myself and getting carried away by the whimsical details. If you like ghost stories, plucky female protagonists, and an atmospheric historical setting, pick this book up.
Like a call to some wild and beautiful adventure, this book spoke to some deep part of me that dreams of experiencing life with limitless freedom and earthly boundaries. I resonated so strongly with Makepeace every step of the way and she won't be a character I quickly forget.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a review copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I've never read anything like this before! It was deliciously da Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I've never read anything like this before! It was deliciously dark and yet ended on such a hopeful note that it made me want to give this book a big hug. The writing was stunning and easy to get lost in, and the narrative was relatable and cynical which helped keep me grounded while the plot twists and turns with fairytale logic. I got a Stranger Things meets Alice in Wonderland vibe and I quite dig it.
Thank you to Flatiron Books for the review copy via Netgalley.
Unfortunately, this book was not my cup of tea and I won't be finishing. I hadDNF @ 30%
Thank you to Flatiron Books for the review copy via Netgalley.
Unfortunately, this book was not my cup of tea and I won't be finishing. I had high hopes for this one because, subversive, f/f feminist Snow White retelling?! Sign me up, that sounds amazing y'all.
But...
I just couldn't get into it. It's really, really slow. And that doesn't usually hold me back from digging into a book - I love a slow burn. But it just seemed like there was nothing to unpack here beyond an expositional look at the different relationships. There was no driving force to the story, no urgency whatsoever to motivate me to continue.
Apart from some vague directional notions of the 'north' and the 'south' there was pretty much no world building. At all. I really had no idea what anything looked like, anywhere. For me, a satisfying fantasy needs to have a certain level of world building, and there was none.
And I found I just did not like Lynet at. all. She spends the first bit of the book following Nadia around like a sneak, spying on her. Do you know how people would react if that were a boy following a girl he was crushing on around? Restraining order.
I'm adding a star for unique concept because it really did intrigue me to pick the book up and give it a solid try. I liked the exploration of female relationships that don't involve mindless jealousy. The characters were complex and not just pitted against each other for no reason.
All in all, I think this book will be enjoyed by many but it just wasn't for me....more
I think Laini Taylor is made of entire universes and stardust and was sent to us from a rip in the sky to give us magic in the form of storytelling.
HI think Laini Taylor is made of entire universes and stardust and was sent to us from a rip in the sky to give us magic in the form of storytelling.
Her ability to ruin me and then fill me up with hope is paralleled by no other. MUSE was everything I hoped for and so much more. I was put through more heartache and grief and warm catharsis with this book than any other.
As Strange the Dreamer gently eased us into the world of Weep with dreamlike wonders, Muse of Nightmares hands out a heavy dose of desperation, a crescendo of tension so taut I could hardly breathe through the entire book. Taylor’s ever beautiful prose sings a melody of emotion in every line and it unseamed me stitch by stitch.
It was perfection from start to finish and I will not accept that this is a duology and that the story ends here.
~5 stars
Thank you to the publisher for sending an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
Ohh, this beautiful book. It was everything I hoped for and more after falling in love with The Bear and the NMorozko is my book husband. That is all.
Ohh, this beautiful book. It was everything I hoped for and more after falling in love with The Bear and the Nightingale earlier this year. It brings into sharp focus many things only hinted at in BEAR, and is packed with action, intrigue, and yes, even some R O M A N C E (I can't spoil the surprise but I must say, I'm a happy little toaster strudel). Now excuse me while I go into a cozy book coma for a while.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more
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