This was a hard book to rate. I loved the last 100 pages but didn't love the first 200.
This is the third book in Fawcett’s series about a faerie schoThis was a hard book to rate. I loved the last 100 pages but didn't love the first 200.
This is the third book in Fawcett’s series about a faerie scholar and her fae royal boyfriend. I loved book one. I didn’t love book two quite as much, but I still enjoyed it.
I’m sorry to say that I found the first half of book three a bit boring. I was afraid the author might have run out of things for Emily (and Wendell) to do. There’s a lot of welcome world building, and the addition of Wendell’s faithful terrifying cat Orga, but tension was lacking. Wendell changes as he becomes more fae, but Emily doesn’t change. His affection for Emily keeps him from becoming unbearable, and I love the fact that his great skill is at sewing.
Some other characters add interest, including Wendell’s ancient unpredictable uncle Lord Taran – “possibly the oldest person in the entire realm” – and Wendell’s overly dramatic sister Deilah. Emily’s grim dog is getting on in years but is still her faithful companion. Finally, when Wendell and Emily solve a riddle and find the missing deposed queen, things heat up. The last 100 pages were great.
This book sort of feels like it could be wrapping up the series, but maybe not. Even with just three books it could make a cracking good mini-series. I really do love all the “serious” scholarship around fairies and fairy tales.
I read an advance reader copy of Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales from Netgalley. ...more
Clean teen fantasy romance - no swearing, no sex, no graphic violence. (I read a review that says it has no romance, but I think what they meant is itClean teen fantasy romance - no swearing, no sex, no graphic violence. (I read a review that says it has no romance, but I think what they meant is it has no sex.)
A plucky princess heroine who constantly tallies her faults (to the point of irritation as a reader) due to her father's desire for perfection. A branded magical hero who is handsome and noble. Adorable younger brothers who are shapeshifters. (Although I do wonder about their names, Corvin and Leon. Did their names lead them to transform into a crow and a cat, or is the author just trying to be clever. Kind of like J.K. Rowling naming a character Lupin who would one day be a werewolf.) A grieving villain out to do her worst.
Anyway, a few minor quibbles but overall I enjoyed it. I would definitely read more by the author. ...more
I wasn't sure I'd read the sequel but I did, and it was much better than the first book. Ren is more likable or at least unlRounded up from 3.5 stars.
I wasn't sure I'd read the sequel but I did, and it was much better than the first book. Ren is more likable or at least unlikable in more palatable ways. The plot is more interesting. The person who wears magic-infused tattoos he can deploy in battle was an interesting addition.
(view spoiler)[Didn't like the epilogue with the mysterious "master" over their chessboard with the pieces in play. Overdone, just tell us who. Or just wait until book three. (hide spoiler)]
I'll probably read book three. This series is a more violent than I usually like. Will it end happily or with everyone dead? Could go either way.
Got to the first violent, excessive, over-the-top bullying scene and knew this book was not for me. How anyone could compare it to Naomi Novik's ScholGot to the first violent, excessive, over-the-top bullying scene and knew this book was not for me. How anyone could compare it to Naomi Novik's Scholomance series is beyond me.
I’m a big fan of the Murderbot Diaries. I’m not the only fan; the series has proved so popular that Wells has been updating and revising some of her oI’m a big fan of the Murderbot Diaries. I’m not the only fan; the series has proved so popular that Wells has been updating and revising some of her older works. Wheel of the Infinite, originally published in 2000, is one of those works.
I had never read before. It is fantasy rather than science fiction like the Murderbot Diaries. I enjoyed it a lot. The main character, Maskelle, used to be the Voice of a god, but she no longer hears from the Adversary. Most people don’t realize who she is, thinking she is merely a travelling nun. But bad forces know who she is and are after her at all times. Maskelle is middle-aged and powerful, tired but still opinionated and fighting. And very dangerous. (“If anyone is going to make trouble,” she says, “it will be me. Really. I’m the most dangerous person here.” (p. 128))
Maskelle hangs out with a fun troupe of actors who provide her with community and of whom she is genuinely fond. While looking for an herb to treat a sick girl, she comes across a prisoner – tall, rangy, handsome – and ten years younger than Maskelle. She helps him escape, sword in hand, and he soon becomes her partner, her protector, and her lover.
There’s serious trouble ahead as the troupe, the Voice, and the swordsman move toward the City and the Hundred Year Rite. There’s also an evil cursed puppet that knocks on its box to be let out and a fair amount of snark. I never doubted that Maskelle would handle whatever came her way.
This was a fun standalone novel, although I would not object to a sequel. My only complaint is about all the R names – Rian, Rastim, Raith. I had a bit of a time getting them straight. But Wheel of the Infinite would make an awesome move!
I read an advance reader copy of the updated and revised Wheel of the Infinite from Netgalley....more
This book was okay. I appreciated that the two main characters are queer because they just are. The beginning commentary on mind-numbing work at a bigThis book was okay. I appreciated that the two main characters are queer because they just are. The beginning commentary on mind-numbing work at a big box store and the way management can take line workers for granted was sharp, then the plot got a bit nonsensical but not in a good Alice way (at least not for me). The book is blessedly short. Book discussion later this week.
Merged review:
This book was okay. I appreciated that the two main characters are queer because they just are. The beginning commentary on mind-numbing work at a big box store and the way management can take line workers for granted was sharp, then the plot got a bit nonsensical but not in a good Alice way (at least not for me). The book is blessedly short. Book discussion later this week....more
I loved Every Heart a Doorway and enjoyed the first two sequels. In an Absent Dream is my least favorite Wayward Children yet (but I'll be ba3.5 stars
I loved Every Heart a Doorway and enjoyed the first two sequels. In an Absent Dream is my least favorite Wayward Children yet (but I'll be back for #5). The main character in In an Absent Dream, Katherine Lundy, is also a character in Every Heart a Doorway, which I had forgotten. I was on a plane while reading this one so I couldn't go google to find out what part Lundy played in the first book, which bugged me the whole time I was reading.
This book is different from previous books in the series because the Academy doesn't play a role. It's a back story. In An Absent Dream is a bit preachy, but in these times of wealth inequality and extreme haves and have nots I didn't mind too much.
Gotta love this quote: "She was Katherine, she was the teacher's pet, and when she grew up, she was going to be a librarian, because she couldn't imagine knowing there was a job that was all about books and not wanting to do it." (pp. 12-13)
Katherine Lundy did remind me a bit of me as a kid: "Couldn't she read faster than anyone else she knew?" (p.21), although unlike Katherine I had many friends. ;-)
I came across some new words in this book, which doesn't happen to me that often. Tatterdemalion: a person dressed in ragged clothing. Flense: slice the skin or fat from a carcass, especially that of a whale.
I was not happy about the ending; I might have been less disgruntled if I'd remembered more about Lundy from the first book. Although maybe not.
This series reminds me of Catherynne Valente's The Girl Who series, although I personally like this series much much more.
Merged review:
3.5 stars
I loved Every Heart a Doorway and enjoyed the first two sequels. In an Absent Dream is my least favorite Wayward Children yet (but I'll be back for #5). The main character in In an Absent Dream, Katherine Lundy, is also a character in Every Heart a Doorway, which I had forgotten. I was on a plane while reading this one so I couldn't go google to find out what part Lundy played in the first book, which bugged me the whole time I was reading.
This book is different from previous books in the series because the Academy doesn't play a role. It's a back story. In An Absent Dream is a bit preachy, but in these times of wealth inequality and extreme haves and have nots I didn't mind too much.
Gotta love this quote: "She was Katherine, she was the teacher's pet, and when she grew up, she was going to be a librarian, because she couldn't imagine knowing there was a job that was all about books and not wanting to do it." (pp. 12-13)
Katherine Lundy did remind me a bit of me as a kid: "Couldn't she read faster than anyone else she knew?" (p.21), although unlike Katherine I had many friends. ;-)
I came across some new words in this book, which doesn't happen to me that often. Tatterdemalion: a person dressed in ragged clothing. Flense: slice the skin or fat from a carcass, especially that of a whale.
I was not happy about the ending; I might have been less disgruntled if I'd remembered more about Lundy from the first book. Although maybe not.
This series reminds me of Catherynne Valente's The Girl Who series, although I personally like this series much much more....more
I let this steampunk alternate history New Orleans novella just wash over me, relishing the details and not worrying about anything I didn't understanI let this steampunk alternate history New Orleans novella just wash over me, relishing the details and not worrying about anything I didn't understand. The world building, characters, and story are a ton of fun. Plenty of room for sequels - and a full book.
Merged review:
I let this steampunk alternate history New Orleans novella just wash over me, relishing the details and not worrying about anything I didn't understand. The world building, characters, and story are a ton of fun. Plenty of room for sequels - and a full book....more
**spoiler alert** Perhaps closer to 2.5 than 3. Some spoilers ahead.
This plot has been done before, and better than it is done here.
I have a few majo**spoiler alert** Perhaps closer to 2.5 than 3. Some spoilers ahead.
This plot has been done before, and better than it is done here.
I have a few major issues with this book. What the people of Tiran are doing to the people outside their city is truly truly terrible. Yet we are expected to believe that no one of Tiran, no one except our heroine Sciona, understands that? Even after she reveals the terrible secret to the whole population? I do not buy that. Otherwise the whole city deserves to burn. There are always "God says we deserve this" people, but there are also people who are not so sure.
What the people of Tiran are doing to the people and landscapes outside the city is truly, truly harmful. How have they not destroyed the entire world outside Tiran by now? They use a ton of magic, and the magic does terrible damage every single time. Look what we’ve done to our own planet in a short period of time, and our terrible practices are less destructive than Tiran’s. The math doesn’t work.
Also, Girl Power! Bad men! The messaging is not subtle.
If you are a Hunger Games fan, imagine that Plutarch Heavensbee is the hero, and Katniss and Peta provide a little assistance but that is it. If you are a Harry Potter fan, imagine that Hermione never becomes friends with Harry and Ron and she and she alone frees the House Elves. The focus is on the wrong character, and I cannot believe no one else helps tackle the terrible magic problem. The strength in many similar works is in people pulling together to end injustice. The people with the power must be involved, but so must the people suffering the injustice.
There is some good writing here, but as a story this book did not work for me. The first chapter is strong. Thomil and Carra should have been the main characters. Chapter 21 is also strong. The author does make a bold choice in (view spoiler)[killing her main character and in not pursuing the romance. (hide spoiler)]
I read an advance reader copy from Netgalley....more
You ever wish there was a novel in which a pony solves the 25-year-old murder his old owner is accused of committing? No, me neither. But Pony ConfideYou ever wish there was a novel in which a pony solves the 25-year-old murder his old owner is accused of committing? No, me neither. But Pony Confidential is here for your reading pleasure, and I enjoyed it. Did you cry at the end of the movie Homeward Bound? Then you definitely need to check out Pony Confidential.
The narrators of chapters alternate between human Penny and the pony. Something terrible happened in the woods 25 years ago. Penny was attacked. A man was killed. Afterwards, Penny’s parents took her away, and she didn’t get to say good-bye to her beloved pony. The book opens with Penny being arrested for the murder. If you want to enjoy this book, I strongly recommend that you set aside your disbelief in specific plot points and just go with the story. (If you can’t believe an elderly pony can solve a cold case, this book is definitely not for you.)
The pony’s self-introduction alone kept me reading. “I am a pony. But not just any pony. I am a pony who is bent on revenge. I am the Iago of ponies, a furry Fury.” (p. 16 of the advance reader copy) But not to worry, the Pony learns to set aside his anger and learn to love. (Is that a spoiler? Maybe. But this book is being marketed as a Christmas pony mystery so I don’t really think it’s much of a spoiler. I hope a movie is in the works.)
The book could have been a little shorter, as it did take some chapters before I really got into the book. I also had difficulty following the timeline. This may have been intentional by the author but I found it confusing. Trigger warnings: animal abuse and depressing discussions of how we treat horses as a society. There are some sad and scary moments. Still, I found the payoff at the end well worth a bit of slogging and confusion. And we do treat horses terribly.
I read an advance reader copy of Pony Confidential. ...more
Did I decide to read this because of the title? Yes, yes I did.
Imagine you are reading a novelization of an episode of Friends. Then imagine that it’sDid I decide to read this because of the title? Yes, yes I did.
Imagine you are reading a novelization of an episode of Friends. Then imagine that it’s not Friends, but a show like Friends. Only in this version, the friends are a witch, a wizard, a demon-spawn, a werewolf, a vampire, and a dragon. And they are each adorable in their own ways, and the focus is on their friendship and not their paranormal lives
The main character in this entry in the series is an adorkable witch who is terrible at casting spells and accidentally makes a pigeon her animal familiar. Everyone has paranormal problems and romantic interests and some of them are roommates or live near each other, but no worries. Everything is going to come out okay. If you are looking for a book you can read the same way you watch Friends in the background while you are doing something else, this may be a series for you.
I wanted to love this, I really did. But I did not love it.
I adore Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, but this book is only very very loosely "inspiI wanted to love this, I really did. But I did not love it.
I adore Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, but this book is only very very loosely "inspired" by it. Very loosely. The plot is somewhat like a more original Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, but without the original brilliance of the parts of P&P that survived the alteration.
The Monstrous Kind is very slow moving. The narrator, Merrick, is a complete idiot who does too much eavesdropping. (She is nothing like the intelligent but impetuous Marianne.) Her house, family, servants, people are all always in grave danger, but she keeps leaving her weapon behind. She several times makes rash decisions that she is lucky to survive. Her sister is even more unlikable and doesn't even have a fun romance to make her more interesting.
The attraction between Merrick and Killian is very predictable, and too argumentative to mirror Marianne and Colonel Brandon. The carrying on with polite society and manners while danger literally creeps up to you just didn't work for me. (I wanted it to!)
So overall, a disappointment. I read an advance reader copy from Netgalley. ...more
I was excited about this book but have sadly DNFed it. I had every intention of reading it when I requested an ARC from Netgalley but politics and graI was excited about this book but have sadly DNFed it. I had every intention of reading it when I requested an ARC from Netgalley but politics and graphic violence are just not my thing. (I DNFed the first Game of Thrones book for the same reason.)
Turns out I should have taken Holly Black's cover quote as a warning ("Reading Navola is like slipping into a luxurious bath full of blood.") I'm sure Navola is well written and I'm sure there are readers who will love it, but I'm out. ...more
This book is very readable. I was drawn in by the world building and the magic. Once lost in the woods, the students encounter a steady stream of periThis book is very readable. I was drawn in by the world building and the magic. Once lost in the woods, the students encounter a steady stream of perilous situations and despite different backgrounds and access to magic pool their physical goods (food, supplies) and their magical skills to work together and try to improve their chances of survival.
Things I didn't like (view spoiler)[ Ren. The main character is not likable. Katniss, also, is not likable, but we like Katniss because she loves her sister. Ren is a self-righteous, arrogant know-it-all with only one thing in mind - revenge. She is the reason the teens are sent to the middle of nowhere. She miscalculated her magic, or didn't understand it, or something, and a plan to get a little lost with two rich House heirs went bad and four of her classmates ended up dying. Does she feel remorse? Honestly, not that I saw. She is sorry that she lost her best friend; she doesn't really seem sorry that her best friend lost her life. "I'm always right," she thinks (p. 306), even though she was very very wrong in trying her little deadly stunt.
Zombie. Yawn.
George R.R. Martin style killing of so many characters the author has bothered to introduce. The first death was absolutely necessary; I'm not sure the following three were.
Theo. I liked Theo but he is an absolute textbook YA "heir to money/power" who seems like a jerk but who is a super nice guy inside who wants to atone for his family's deadly ways.
When Theo offers unexpectedly to bond with Ren, she thinks, "Of course. The answer was simple. Theo was falling in love with her." (p. 303) Say what now? Is Ren delusional or is the author? (hide spoiler)] I will probably flip through book 2 to see what happens but I doubt I will read it....more
I mean, this was fine. Ernest Cline took his shot at a middle school novel. It was condescending at times, and I don’t think his target audience wouldI mean, this was fine. Ernest Cline took his shot at a middle school novel. It was condescending at times, and I don’t think his target audience would get his many references to people and music from the 1980s. The visit from a flying saucer is pretty out of left field, as is the main character’s psychic link with the bats.
I did enjoy that the book features a healthy relationship between a child and her uncle. Also, Opal is big and weird and “kinda barrel-shaped” but happy with herself.
This book has many things that should make me love it. Romance, fantasy, Victorian times, Oxford, birds, MAGICAL birds, ornithologists. But I didn’t lThis book has many things that should make me love it. Romance, fantasy, Victorian times, Oxford, birds, MAGICAL birds, ornithologists. But I didn’t love it. I found the story repetitive and boring. I was never invested in Beth or Devon or their relationship. There is so much silliness – SO MUCH silliness – that it is truly hard to take the story seriously. There’s madcap and then there’s so much absurdity that it’s really hard to fall into the story and stay there. At least for me.
At one point they are naked and about to have sex and Devon asks, “do you consent?” Really? After making out and taking off each other’s clothes “I consent” literally needs to be said? OK, never mind, maybe young people having sex today really expect the other person to say “I consent” during the throes of passion. I guess this is supposed to prove what a super nice and trustworthy guy Devon is, but I found it awkward and unrealistic. (Oh, and how very very helpful and convenient that he is sterile and manages to tell Beth before they do the deed.)
In the Acknowledgments, the author says, “While every effort was made to accurately depict the various details of life in 1890, I took considerable artistic licence with the big picture”. You think? Like having an educated gentleman go around using the f word in front of a gentlewoman? (That word felt so out of place in this book.)
Some of the magical creatures seriously reminded me of certain Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Especially the big climax with the magical caladrius flying and filling everyone with magic, healing, and love.
I think it may be time to stop reading India Holton. I read the first Dangerous Damsels and gave it three stars as well. (At least this book was not nonstop nonsense. There is plenty of nonsense, but it’s a little more contained.) She just really is not my cup of tea.
I read an advance reader copy of The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love from Netgalley....more
I really enjoyed the author’s debut novel The Wishing Game, but The Lost Story didn’t work for me.
Two teenage boys, best frRounded up from 2.5 stars.
I really enjoyed the author’s debut novel The Wishing Game, but The Lost Story didn’t work for me.
Two teenage boys, best friends, disappear in a forest and reappear months later. One, Rafe, remembers nothing; Jeremy, the other, breaks all ties with Rafe. Fifteen years later, the two boys have no contact. Jeremy has become a finder of lost people, and a young woman seeks his help finding her sister, who disappeared in the same forest years before the boys. Jeremy is willing to look for the sister, but he requires Rafe's help.
The enchanted world that lies beyond the disappearances is based on a child’s imagined fairy tale, but it’s a little TOO “child telling you a long long boring story. ” “And then, and then there were UNICORNS, and Rafe became a PRINCE and Jeremy became a KNIGHT and there was a staircase in a TREE and there were silver tigers and red crows and everything was MAGICAL ….”
If you are going to mold your story around a child’s fairy tale, there has to be something new. Something extra. I didn’t feel like The Lost Story had anything new or extra. It legitimately felt at times like a story a six-year old made up and won't stop talking about.
The story does try to deal with abusive parents and childhood trauma but it mostly just feels like an excuse to aim at adults an ordinary and predictable (I knew who the bad King of Lost Virginia was as soon as he was mentioned) fairy tale for children by throwing in a lot of pop culture references and some wink-nudge comments about Rafe, Jeremy, and the big sexy bed.
The best part was the pet rat, and I enjoyed the West Virginia setting. I will read the author’s next book, but this one was a miss for me. I read an advance reader copy of The Lost Story. ...more
Super fun fairy tale in the manner of The Princess Bride. (It’s not The Princess Bride and it’s not “the next Princess Bride,” of course, but if you eSuper fun fairy tale in the manner of The Princess Bride. (It’s not The Princess Bride and it’s not “the next Princess Bride,” of course, but if you enjoy The Princess Bride, you might enjoy Dreadful.) I particularly enjoyed the goblins, the mayor, and the hero who gets turned into a chicken. (Or rather, a ROOSTER.)
It also reminded me of the fairy tale episode of Strange New Worlds, which I loved.
I read a paper advance reader copy of Dreadful. ...more
This Is How You Lose the Time War won the BSFA Award for Best Shorter Fiction, the Nebula Award for Best Novella of 2019, and the 2020 Hugo Award for This Is How You Lose the Time War won the BSFA Award for Best Shorter Fiction, the Nebula Award for Best Novella of 2019, and the 2020 Hugo Award for Best Novella.
How. HOW. This book is in the running for the most pretentious book I've ever read. Despite multiple references to birds, which normally soften me toward even the worst books, I found this book unbearable. It's like spending time with your high school best friend who is obsessed with their new boyfriend/girlfriend/romantic partner, with a little Romeo and Juliet drama thrown in. Gag me with a spoon. Ugh ugh ugh. ...more
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