Apparently I don't know how to Goodread because I originally reviewed this alongside a re-read of Flood (/review/show...) whiApparently I don't know how to Goodread because I originally reviewed this alongside a re-read of Flood (/review/show...) which will include this novella (ARC courtesy NetGalley, thank you)
Marius Chankseliani is the ex-partner to Edwin Tully and prior to this new novella he has existed mostly off page in Waiting for the Flood and a brief cameo in For Real. Marius is extremely prickly, often mean, messy, vulnerable, and afraid. And in his story, Marius finds himself relying on the kindness of a stranger, Leo Dance, and his narrowboat. This story is the perfect bookend to Flood about forgiveness, vulnerability, hope, and love - and how absolutely terrifying the journey can be to let people see your full self - your insecurities, selfishness, fear, pain - and love you for all of it.
I saved this second book in the Monk and Robot series for a moment when I felt lost and “needed� it. And just as with A Psalm for the Wild-Built this I saved this second book in the Monk and Robot series for a moment when I felt lost and “needed� it. And just as with A Psalm for the Wild-Built this book gently cracked me open and reminded me that I can be enough. That we can be enough. That you don’t have to earn rest or comfort, you can just be. ...more
4.5* This was such a lovely, gentle book. When I read the last sentence, I said, out loud, “oh how wonderful.�
“It is enough to exist in the world and4.5* This was such a lovely, gentle book. When I read the last sentence, I said, out loud, “oh how wonderful.�
“It is enough to exist in the world and marvel at it. You don’t need to justify that, or earn it. You are allowed to just live.�...more
In 56 short pages I was transfixed, transported, and often felt a tightness in my chest that was my physiological response to the beauty of it all.
No In 56 short pages I was transfixed, transported, and often felt a tightness in my chest that was my physiological response to the beauty of it all.
No other coherent thoughts just these quotes:
“A world I had seen only through high windows.�
“The boundaries of our belonging are too frayed, too uncertain, and our worlds meet only at the limits of my body. So we live—as we always have—together, in the only way we can, at the very edges of freedom.�...more
October 2022 - 2nd read and I wouldn't change a thing about my review. Only to add bring on more adventures in Prospertyverse! ---------- This was amaziOctober 2022 - 2nd read and I wouldn't change a thing about my review. Only to add bring on more adventures in Prospertyverse! ---------- This was amazing. I had been sitting on this title for a while - I don't know why - but I needed it this weekend and it did not disappoint. The audiobook narration by Nicholas Boulton (super swoony narrator of Flowers From the Storm, Glitterland, Something Fabulous, my dreams??) is amazing and does a fantastic job bringing Alexis Hall's brilliant writing to life - and is especially helpful for the cant vernacular. It's a bit steampunk-y, a bit SFF-y, romance-y and FUN.
I thoroughly enjoyed the adventures of Dil and Byron Kae and everyone aboard the Shadowless. I am also tragically attracted to Milord.
I also love anything that leads me on a path of further reading so have been enjoying exploring cant dictionaries and the Prospertyverse extras on Alexis Hall's website.
"Oh dear, I do so wish I was hammered" - Miss Gray
Under the wrack and wreck of what had come before, the sky was new, and I reached for it with a yearning eager hand.
This book is exceptional. I read Under the wrack and wreck of what had come before, the sky was new, and I reached for it with a yearning eager hand.
This book is exceptional. I read it after a re-read of The Great Gatsby, a book that I never felt strongly about - it exists in my mind as that book I read in high school, something careless people, something green light. But, this wonderful retelling from Nghi Vo elevates the original into a vibrant, magical, and emotional story.
Jordan Baker was brought to the US from Vietnam, by her adoptive parents and raised in a privileged family in Kentucky, but she is always viewed as “other� and “exotic.� Tolerated at the fringes of society, she is a keen observer of the relationships and events unfolding around her. Just on the inside but always an outsider. She begins a relationship with Nick Carraway and the major elements of TGG unfold to its devastating conclusion, but Jordan JORDAN is the center of this story and I was captivated by her and her story as it is revealed.
Magical elements are woven into the fabric of this world, creating moments that are subtle or beautiful to the terrifying and heart-stopping.
It took me (ahem) a month to attempt to write anything coherent about this book - and my takeaway is still OMG. THIS BOOK. But now, with additional words....more
First listen of audiobook (3rd read). The audiobook narration is fantastic with each character distinctive. Another delicious layer of enjoyment to thFirst listen of audiobook (3rd read). The audiobook narration is fantastic with each character distinctive. Another delicious layer of enjoyment to this fantastic book.
The final chapter at Auclere and the Epilogue gets me each and every time and my heart swells at Viola and Gracewood's hard fought happiness. Contented sigh.
**** ARC courtesy of Forever (thank you!)
“We are the best of each other.�
An absolutely breathtaking book.
Presumed dead at Waterloo, Viola, a trans woman, decides to live the life that she has always wanted, as herself. But to live her true life, she makes sacrifices including giving up her title, her wealth, and her friendship with her dearest friend Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood, a cis man. 2 years after the war, Viola is living as the paid companion to her sister-in-law Lady Marleigh. Despite her misgivings, she is persuaded to travel with Louise to the Duke of Gracewood’s estate in order to help his younger sister, Miranda.
I am drawn to angsty/pining/friends to lovers romances and this story hit all of my sensors. Reuniting with Gracewood, Viola discovers that he has been suffering these past years. Physically disabled and suffering from PTSD from the Naploeanic wars, he has also been grieving over his friend - whom he believes died. Viola struggles to reconcile her feelings for Gracewood and the decision to tell him who she is. Their friendship develops into romantic love and their scenes together are just so complete: initially full of angst, hesitancy, and grief, but with glimpses of their shared history and lifted with humor. It develops to mutual longing and romance. The communication between Viola and Gracewood are some of my favorite elements in this book. They discuss everything - their insecurities, fears, hopes, and physical desires.
THERE IS SO MUCH PINING. The historical setting for this book intensifies the pining - there are scenes of longing, glances, small touches of gloved hands, stolen private conversations, and quiet moments of shared attraction that basically make my heart soar.
“A word from you, a glance, and I would lay all I have…� - Gracewood to Viola
The writing is lush, emotional, and beautiful and while Viola’s voice is the primary POV there are chapters with Gracewood’s POV and I enjoyed these insights into his feelings, insecurities, and desires for Viola. This is a gorgeous book about love and the triumph of joy.
This book explores some serious themes including PTSD, alcohol and drug abuse - there are content warnings on Alexis Hall’s page worth checking out:
This book is available for preorder now and releases May 24, 2022 ...more
2023: 2nd listen and I am still basically my original review. This was my first histrom (in 2022) and I must admit I'm pretty pro2025: Still the best.
2023: 2nd listen and I am still basically my original review. This was my first histrom (in 2022) and I must admit I'm pretty proud of myself that I picked a banger for my introduction. I still very much need a support group because I am often incoherent about it, but when I do move past all of the pure feels of: thee/thou; KITTENS; burn Maddygirl; thunderstorms and ghosts; I can occasionally coherently talk about the fascinating way Kinsale uses language throughout the book from the 19th century Quaker Plain Speech of Maddy Timms and the evolution of Christian Langland, the duke of Jervaulx's speech after he suffers from a stroke early in the book. It is a swoon worthy, angsty, page turner of a historical romance.
"We are impossible, an accident of time and place, worlds collided"
This remains my sole Kinsale and I must correct that in 2024 (let's try in 2025).
--- Original review 2022: This was excellent. Is there a support group for people who love this book and have so many feelings?...more
This is an amazing YA fantasy debut from Vanessa Len. I could not put this down. Joan Chang-Hunt is spendingSource of book: Edelweiss ARC (thank you!)
This is an amazing YA fantasy debut from Vanessa Len. I could not put this down. Joan Chang-Hunt is spending the summer with her grandmother and her extended family in London and volunteering at a historic house. Her seemingly normal world is upended after a horrific tragedy and Joan discovers that she and her family are monsters. Monsters who can time-travel. And the cute boy she has a crush on from the historic house, Nick, is not an ordinary human. Attempting to save her family she travels back in time to undo what has happened. Helping her is Aaron Oliver, a member of a rival monster family. Joan has a crash course about the magical world that has been around her entire life. The reader is introduced to the world of monsters alongside Joan and it is filled with rival families, a cruel monster court, timelines, and so many secrets. It is a dark read, and tackles some serious themes. But it also a thrill-ride and just so imaginative. The world building is excellent and I love recognizing the "Londons" that I know - 21st century and the 90s existing alongside the magical world that is so evocative with descriptions of places, smells, and tastes. This is the first in a planned trilogy and although I felt that this book could be a standalone I am totally invested in the characters and excited to see where the next book will explore.
There are content warnings for this book - and should definitely be checked out before reading: This book is available now - and I am currently struggling to decide which edition to buy for myself. The covers are so good for both the US and UK editions....more
ARC review for 2024 edition (courtesy NetGalley, thank you!)
The pure delight of the new editions of the Spires series has been revisiting characters aARC review for 2024 edition (courtesy NetGalley, thank you!)
The pure delight of the new editions of the Spires series has been revisiting characters and stories I adore with fresh eyes, rediscovering moments I have always found moving and hilarious, and being surprised by new insights from the magnificent author annotations and bonus materials (I had completely missed the Maureen/sunflower connection until this reading!) An absolute gift from the author and publisher.
Alfie Bell returns home to South Shields, England and after accidentally outing himself at a friend's wedding finds himself reuniting with someone from his past in the most unexpected of moments. Fen O'Donaghue is grieving, prickly, yet full of capacity for joy. Is this a one-night, one-week fling or something more? They stutter and stumble to find forgiveness, self acceptance and connection in the town they both wanted to escape. Hall deftly handles all the complexities with great care, gentleness, and humor. Their relationship is multilayered, intricate, and very very romantic.
I also found myself highlighting the same quotes (see below) but this one will always always crack me open: Again and again, learning those sleek lines like calligraphy, and the letter he shaped was Fen.
CW: Alexis Hall provides content guidance that is not exhaustive but may contain spoilers on website:
Re-reading my earlier reviews of this book I am still quite besotted with it for all of the reasons expressed below. And I hugged it again. And cried. ...more
It is so strange and haunting and wonderful. It is one of the most original books I have read. Piranesi lives in a House filled witOh my...this book.
It is so strange and haunting and wonderful. It is one of the most original books I have read. Piranesi lives in a House filled with statues and endless corridors and halls. The House is impacted by an imprisioned ocean which floods the halls. But Piranesi explores and learns the House - tracking the tides and understanding the language of the House. He sees the infinite Beauty of the House. He is mostly alone except for the Other, a man who visits him twice a week and wants to know the House as Piranesi does - but not for the same purposes.
This book is so fascinating and absorbing. I love Piranesi and his wonder at the House and his tender and intentional interactions with everything in it. He is curious about the House but less so about his own identity until he is forced to confront this - which is achieved as his own meticulously kept journals help him to remember his own story. His personality to observe, record, and catalogue everything teaches him not only about the House but also when he needs it —about himself. I love that so very much. And the construction and the intricacies of his journals is so good - complete with indices and references to the other humans he discovers and rediscovers as his own story is revealed.
April 2023 re-listen in anticipation of Something Spectacular. I love this book. That it is all. -------------- May 2022 re-listen to the audiobook whiApril 2023 re-listen in anticipation of Something Spectacular. I love this book. That it is all. -------------- May 2022 re-listen to the audiobook which has become the soundtrack to my days when I need to laugh and swoon to the voice of Nicholas Boulton and immerse myself in Alexis Hall's writing. This has become a go-to 2022 comfort read. And Sir Horley is just so much foxy fun - I hope we spend more time with him in the second book. --------------------------------------------------- Updated review.
Let's start this review with Alexis Hall's own blurb about the book: "Something Fabulous is...I don't know. Its ridiculous. It's a big gay regency romp about an overly dramatic beautiful rainbow sunshine + an overly dramatic demisexual grumpy duke, going on a cross-country chase." I mean, I can't describe it any better than that. I loved it. I laughed out loud, I swooned, and I honestly put my hand on my heart a few times. (view spoiler)[(When Valentine recovers from being shot? And he realizes he wants Bonny and Bonny has been there all along with him? oh my heart) (hide spoiler)]
It is a romp but there are explorations of serious themes of identity; imagining a different better future for yourself, and what constitutes a HEA. It is also a love letter to reading and enjoying books and building a world for yourself through books when you cannot escape your current reality.
And the audiobook is *chefs kiss*
Features: *Valentinian Gervase Lancaster Layton, Duke of Malvern (plus other titles)- definitely a duke, demisexual, grumpy, not a fan of waking up early *Bonaventure "Bonny" Tarleton - twin to Arabella, a fabulous sunshine unicorn, loves books, bees, and adventures *Arabella Tarleton - twin to Bonny, melodramatic, tends to flee, wants her own adventures and freedom *Margaret "Peggy" Delancey- of the Devonshire Peggys, Belle's best friend, the only truly sensible character in the book (deserves and will get her own book Something Spectacular) *Sir Horley Comewithers- shows up when least expected or desired, really likes Bonny, annoys Valentine (but is a good friend to him), might decorate his hunting lodge in shades of arsehole??...more
"Arden St. Ives changed us both." (Bellerose 4ever <3)
I don't think any of my "read" dates are accurate becau“Love isn’t earned, Caspian. It’s given.�
"Arden St. Ives changed us both." (Bellerose 4ever <3)
I don't think any of my "read" dates are accurate because I have read and re-read this series so many times. But am finally adding a review after the epic buddy read I finished this past month for all three books in this series which I love so very much. Such brilliant, beautiful, intricately crafted writing, the characters are so vivid and I just love Arden St. Ives....more
“I’m all right. And I’ve got you, haven’t I?� “Always, my Arden.�
I don't think any of my "read" dates are accurate because I have read and re-read thi“I’m all right. And I’ve got you, haven’t I?� “Always, my Arden.�
I don't think any of my "read" dates are accurate because I have read and re-read this series so many times. But am finally adding a review after the epic buddy read I finished this past month for all three books in this series which I love so very much. Such brilliant, beautiful, intricately crafted writing, the characters are so vivid and I just love Arden St. Ives....more
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