Is the world we live in worth saving? Is a life with so much suffering worth living? Each of the three narrators we follow in The Black Hunger must coIs the world we live in worth saving? Is a life with so much suffering worth living? Each of the three narrators we follow in The Black Hunger must come up with their own answer to these questions, which turns out to be not such a simple thing to do. The worldbuilding and lore is rich and detailed, and each character is fully realized. I absolutely cannot describe how I felt reading the last 50 pages of this book. I was completely pulled into the narrative, hanging on the author’s every word. The Black Hunger will not be a book for everyone, but if you have a strong stomach, a love for intricate lore, and an appreciation for a slightly vague ending, I cannot recommend it highly enough. This is one of the best books of 2024 for me. Advanced copy provided by Orbit, all opinions my own....more
“I will love you to ruination,” the Fairy King said, brushing a strand of golden hair from my cheek. “Yours or mine?” I asked. The Fairy King did not “I will love you to ruination,” the Fairy King said, brushing a strand of golden hair from my cheek. “Yours or mine?” I asked. The Fairy King did not answer.
This book is a captivating reflection on the struggles of women in academia and elsewhere, with touches of a gothic haunted house novel and what turns out to be a very sweet romance. The main character is deeply traumatized and flawed, and so very relatable for myself and I’m sure many others. I was honored to go on this journey with Effy, and comforted by her resilience and determination to survive. It’s difficult to put into words just how much I loved this book. I’ll be recommending it to everyone. One note--please do find a comprehensive list of content warnings before reading. I have an advanced copy, so I’m not sure if there will be one in the final book....more
3.5 stars rounded up. I received an advanced copy from Netgalley
In House of Roots and Ruin, we follow Verity, the youngest Thaumas sister, on her firs3.5 stars rounded up. I received an advanced copy from Netgalley
In House of Roots and Ruin, we follow Verity, the youngest Thaumas sister, on her first journey beyond Salann. She arrives at the extravagant Chauntilalie estate, home to the Laurant family and the many skeletons in their closets. Of course, the longer Verity stays at Chauntilalie, the more obvious it becomes that something is terribly wrong.
Erin Craig's writing has improved so much since her debut. I really enjoyed House of Salt and Sorrows, but had some issues with the character development and plot. House of Roots and Ruin was not perfect, but it avoided a lot of the issues I had with the first book. As always, the atmosphere and settings really pull you in. I read this in a few sittings of over 100 pages at a time, finishing with 307 pages in one day at the end. I just couldn't be away from Verity for too long.
I think a big advantage for this book is that the author was able to focus on Verity instead of trying to make so many different sisters distinct characters. Her sisters are in the story, but Verity gets to take up space in a way that Annaleigh didn't really get in House of Salt and Sorrows. I didn't find the romance very compelling, but that could be a me problem as I'm not usually big on the romance aspect.
If you have loved the Sisters of the Salt books, do yourself a favor and read House of Hollow while we wait for Erin Craig's next adventure. ...more
The atmosphere is fantastic. The writing style is good. Some of the reveals are even well done. But the characters are flat, and the plot is predictabThe atmosphere is fantastic. The writing style is good. Some of the reveals are even well done. But the characters are flat, and the plot is predictable.
Each of the twelve sisters can be reduced down to a single personality trait or archetype, and there is nothing that makes any one of them particularly lifelike or compelling. I guessed the main 'antagonist' fairly early on, and the red herrings the author tries to throw in don't really work. There was one reveal that took me by surprise, but I felt like it wasn't treated like much of a big deal when it was (to me) one of the most horrifying moments in the book.
If you are a teenager and this is your first gothic horror, you will probably love it. This is a good introduction to the genre, but for me, it fell short. I still had a good time reading it, though. There was never a point where I was tempted to dnf or regretted the time spent on it....more
As a fellow Ozarker who now lives far away, what a comforting read. The dialect, the setting, the references to familiar places. I loved it. The authoAs a fellow Ozarker who now lives far away, what a comforting read. The dialect, the setting, the references to familiar places. I loved it. The author does a great job of preserving what makes the Ozarks special while recognizing the bits we borrowed from Appalachia, nearby native Americans, and immigrants. I loved the exploration of deals with the devil-both literal and figurative-, family, sacrifice, and the ease with which a smooth-talking man can form a mob. I wish I could do this book justice with a review, but all I can say is give it a read. You won't regret it.
My one critique is that the switches in perspective were a bit confusing at times. It took me quite a few chapters to comfortable keep track of who I was following, but that could also be me reading too fast because I needed to know what happened next.
A well deserved 4.5 stars. I look forward to seeing what Paulette Kennedy does next! ...more
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