The War
by Garth Ennis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Originally published in Hello Darkness comics (and in Vol 1 & 2 collected trade paperbacks), I’ll admit I read War awhile back in parts; it gutted me then and today, re-reading it in its entirety cover to cover in this fully collected edition, I found it just as heart wrenching as the first time. Even knowing what happens, why Ennis is telling the story (to deter nuclear war!), and being wholly prepared for the horror I still put this down and went ‘damn’. The War is a bleak, honest look at scenarios experience by a group of friends (who all go different ways) knowing their city is about to be hit with the bomb.
The War is terrifying in its realism, lovingly tearful with genuine love, and all around horrific in how the world ends. If you are looking for happy endings you will find none here. And yet I love it. It’s sooo well done, and hits me (twice now) so hard that I can’t help but want to experience the genuine emotion on the page again and again. I believe, only the unique medium of a comic, with both words and art, could really bring this kind of a story to a place where you can’t help but flip the pages as you gasp, cry, and whimper at everything seen and heard.
Truly a masterpiece of storytelling and one I hope to only ever experience via printed media. At the end of it all this is a warning, a reminder of what fallout and an apocalypse really looks like. There’s no heroes to save you here, no obvious villains to blame; just the sheer stupidity of the human race and our (seemingly) rush to destroy ourselves and our planet. I want to both recommend AND warn everyone away from this shocking masterpiece. May we all, no matter our power, class, race, sexuality, or politics hope (pray?) we (and everyone who comes next) never EVER see a future of this kind.
While NetGalley and BOOM! Studios provided me an eARC (and this is an unbiased and honest review); I’ll confess that I already owned the single edition comics and trade paperbacks this was first published in.
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Stitching, reading and comics! All at epic proportions. From giant projects, thick books, and a lot of comics this is a chronicle of hobbies. Current counts: +1,300 physical books, +6,000 comics, +300 trade paperback comics, +300 stitching patterns!
Monday, March 2, 2026
Book Review: Outlaw Planet
Outlaw Planet
by M.R. Carey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow!! I knew 35% of the way in this was shaping up to be an epic science fiction tome. What I didn’t know then was how beautifully Carey would bring everything together.
I’m told this is set in the same world as Carey’s duology (which I haven’t read but I’ve bumped up my list!!). Currently, I don’t feel like I missed anything by reading it as a stand-alone (which is how it’s being marketed). Be prepared for a very dense, high stakes, elaborate science fiction epic. While we don’t leave the planet, this world is both alien, yet familiar all at once. Carey did a brilliant job of making this feel like a place we know; yet one we are baffled by all the same.
The characters are what really makes this a glorious read. The plot is there, the action of a western, a touch of romance and lots of camaraderie; but at its core Outlaw Planet is about two people, our leading lady, Dog Bitch Bess, a scorned, angry, heart broken woman (for most of the book) who just wants the world to know it sucks. Our unknown stranger that shows up in logs at the end of each ‘part’ of the story is a mystery until very close to the end. And trust me you will not see this ending coming. It fits perfect; and yet predicting it is nigh on impossible as Carey has woven things together so well.
If I’ve ever thought a book was written backwards (author starting at the end and writing forward) it was this one. Every piece of the puzzle fits so perfect as you move forwards. Click the ‘click’ is happening only because the future knows what it is. I loved the journey of this epic and (intentionally) read it slowly so as to savour it. In fact I read it so slow I had to return my library copy and bought my own print one so I didn’t have to rush through! And rightfully so, this novel deserves a coveted place in my print library. I’ve even added it to my favourites just now (an elite list) as I’m confident it won’t be leaving me anytime soon (if ever!).
Carey and I have had some good reading times in short stories and Gifts was good. But Outlaw Planet has vaulted him to my ‘must read’ list. And now I need to catch up on the Koli trilogy and the duology attached to this book because I can’t not devour every word he has ever written!
All that praise aside please be cautioned. This is fairly hard science fiction with no chapters, instead 8 dense parts with few breaks. The technology is elaborate, the pieces you are given to start are confusing and meant to leave you unsure of what is going on. Trust the journey. But know it’s a slow, lengthy journey. If that’s not your kind of book that’s okay you can find another. But if you love an epic saga that knows what it is and wants to be so well you feel like it’s already a classic, then pick this beauty up and enjoy the time you spend with Dog Bitch Bess and her sentient gun Slim. Time is unforgiving; and you’ll want to spend some of yours in this world.
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My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow!! I knew 35% of the way in this was shaping up to be an epic science fiction tome. What I didn’t know then was how beautifully Carey would bring everything together.
I’m told this is set in the same world as Carey’s duology (which I haven’t read but I’ve bumped up my list!!). Currently, I don’t feel like I missed anything by reading it as a stand-alone (which is how it’s being marketed). Be prepared for a very dense, high stakes, elaborate science fiction epic. While we don’t leave the planet, this world is both alien, yet familiar all at once. Carey did a brilliant job of making this feel like a place we know; yet one we are baffled by all the same.
The characters are what really makes this a glorious read. The plot is there, the action of a western, a touch of romance and lots of camaraderie; but at its core Outlaw Planet is about two people, our leading lady, Dog Bitch Bess, a scorned, angry, heart broken woman (for most of the book) who just wants the world to know it sucks. Our unknown stranger that shows up in logs at the end of each ‘part’ of the story is a mystery until very close to the end. And trust me you will not see this ending coming. It fits perfect; and yet predicting it is nigh on impossible as Carey has woven things together so well.
If I’ve ever thought a book was written backwards (author starting at the end and writing forward) it was this one. Every piece of the puzzle fits so perfect as you move forwards. Click the ‘click’ is happening only because the future knows what it is. I loved the journey of this epic and (intentionally) read it slowly so as to savour it. In fact I read it so slow I had to return my library copy and bought my own print one so I didn’t have to rush through! And rightfully so, this novel deserves a coveted place in my print library. I’ve even added it to my favourites just now (an elite list) as I’m confident it won’t be leaving me anytime soon (if ever!).
Carey and I have had some good reading times in short stories and Gifts was good. But Outlaw Planet has vaulted him to my ‘must read’ list. And now I need to catch up on the Koli trilogy and the duology attached to this book because I can’t not devour every word he has ever written!
All that praise aside please be cautioned. This is fairly hard science fiction with no chapters, instead 8 dense parts with few breaks. The technology is elaborate, the pieces you are given to start are confusing and meant to leave you unsure of what is going on. Trust the journey. But know it’s a slow, lengthy journey. If that’s not your kind of book that’s okay you can find another. But if you love an epic saga that knows what it is and wants to be so well you feel like it’s already a classic, then pick this beauty up and enjoy the time you spend with Dog Bitch Bess and her sentient gun Slim. Time is unforgiving; and you’ll want to spend some of yours in this world.
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Thursday, February 19, 2026
Comic Review: Sunstone Vol. 1
Sunstone, Vol. 1
by Stjepan Šejić
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Stjepan Sejic is one of the premier writers and artists in the comic industry. To see him do an erotica adult lesbian BDSM comic was far too titillating to miss (lol)! Yes there is nudity, but it’s not gratuitous nor is it excessive. And thankfully, while the women are very attractive, they are shown reasonably (ie: not totally shaved, not crazy skinny, etc.) and as real people not just sexy archetypes.
What is perhaps most surprising here, although Sejic is a master storyteller so maybe I was coloured by assumptions because of the topic, is how good the character development is. We are immediately shown the nervousness and uncertainty of meeting someone online in Sunstone. Additionally the BDSM and queer representation is very well done. I would venture to say that Sejic is a dabbler (if not more) in the fetish arts or at least interviewed the right people to get some basic details about safe words, why people enjoy sexual play of this nature, and how a ‘first time’ might go. It actually made me think of Heated Rivalry (the show, the book is on my TBR) in that it represents a misunderstood group of people very well and humanizes an often pre-judged fetish. I also liked (as a bisexual woman) that, for the most part, it being two women is relatively irrelevant overall when it comes to the erotic scenes. We do get a tiny insight into one characters struggle with the label of lesbian (and I’m hoping that is explored further in the future). And I was very pleased that one of our women is bisexual!
There are 7 more volumes of this story. Each already published as web-comics (and originally brought to publication on Kickstarter). I’m glad to see a series like this get picked up by a (smaller) known comic publisher. Now it is Top Cow, whom Sejic has been writing for decades, but I think it’s a great home for the series and gets it on comic book shop shelves (or at least a chance of being ordered in).
Perhaps most interesting of all is the story after the main story where Sejic tells us how the comic came together. He talks genuinely of his struggles to pump out comics at a quick pace and the burn-out he was experiencing. I like how he includes his wife’s influences on the story, discusses the evolution of the story (it didn’t start at the beginning of the timeline), and how it has made him feel better about his career and creative abilities in general. It’s refreshing to see a successful artist talk about their daily struggles. A lot of artists have major doubts about their capabilities or large spells where creative ideas elude them; and I think sharing those stories is very important so others know they are not alone.
So while you might pick this up because it’s hot lesbians in BDSM erotica (ie: sexy!) there is more here than cheap nudity and selling sex. There are genuine emotions on the page, good representation, and a building up of our characters that is refreshing for an erotic comic. I look forward to continuing the journey with our two lovely ladies!
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Stjepan Sejic is one of the premier writers and artists in the comic industry. To see him do an erotica adult lesbian BDSM comic was far too titillating to miss (lol)! Yes there is nudity, but it’s not gratuitous nor is it excessive. And thankfully, while the women are very attractive, they are shown reasonably (ie: not totally shaved, not crazy skinny, etc.) and as real people not just sexy archetypes.
What is perhaps most surprising here, although Sejic is a master storyteller so maybe I was coloured by assumptions because of the topic, is how good the character development is. We are immediately shown the nervousness and uncertainty of meeting someone online in Sunstone. Additionally the BDSM and queer representation is very well done. I would venture to say that Sejic is a dabbler (if not more) in the fetish arts or at least interviewed the right people to get some basic details about safe words, why people enjoy sexual play of this nature, and how a ‘first time’ might go. It actually made me think of Heated Rivalry (the show, the book is on my TBR) in that it represents a misunderstood group of people very well and humanizes an often pre-judged fetish. I also liked (as a bisexual woman) that, for the most part, it being two women is relatively irrelevant overall when it comes to the erotic scenes. We do get a tiny insight into one characters struggle with the label of lesbian (and I’m hoping that is explored further in the future). And I was very pleased that one of our women is bisexual!
There are 7 more volumes of this story. Each already published as web-comics (and originally brought to publication on Kickstarter). I’m glad to see a series like this get picked up by a (smaller) known comic publisher. Now it is Top Cow, whom Sejic has been writing for decades, but I think it’s a great home for the series and gets it on comic book shop shelves (or at least a chance of being ordered in).
Perhaps most interesting of all is the story after the main story where Sejic tells us how the comic came together. He talks genuinely of his struggles to pump out comics at a quick pace and the burn-out he was experiencing. I like how he includes his wife’s influences on the story, discusses the evolution of the story (it didn’t start at the beginning of the timeline), and how it has made him feel better about his career and creative abilities in general. It’s refreshing to see a successful artist talk about their daily struggles. A lot of artists have major doubts about their capabilities or large spells where creative ideas elude them; and I think sharing those stories is very important so others know they are not alone.
So while you might pick this up because it’s hot lesbians in BDSM erotica (ie: sexy!) there is more here than cheap nudity and selling sex. There are genuine emotions on the page, good representation, and a building up of our characters that is refreshing for an erotic comic. I look forward to continuing the journey with our two lovely ladies!
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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Thursday, February 12, 2026
Book Review: Little Rabbit Wants the Moon
Little Rabbit Wants the Moon by Lauren Kukla
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Using insomnia to teach about nocturnal creatures! This adorable, perfect for bedtime, storybook tells of a little rabbit that can’t sleep and wishes to touch the moon. I love how clever this story is. It highlights and talks about other animals and their features (ie: bats and wings, possums and tails, etc) whilst also ensuring Mama rabbit points out all the advantages to being a rabbit (ie: quick feet, tail imitation, etc). If only we could always think to answer every child’s request to be like someone else with a way of pointing out how they also have great attributes and reaffirm that it’s okay to be you!
I love how dark and moody the pages are in these illustrations. Perfect for nighttime reading and not overstimulating a child. I see this as the perfect bedtime story for any child in any situation. It’s a universal message presented in a perfect way!
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Using insomnia to teach about nocturnal creatures! This adorable, perfect for bedtime, storybook tells of a little rabbit that can’t sleep and wishes to touch the moon. I love how clever this story is. It highlights and talks about other animals and their features (ie: bats and wings, possums and tails, etc) whilst also ensuring Mama rabbit points out all the advantages to being a rabbit (ie: quick feet, tail imitation, etc). If only we could always think to answer every child’s request to be like someone else with a way of pointing out how they also have great attributes and reaffirm that it’s okay to be you!
I love how dark and moody the pages are in these illustrations. Perfect for nighttime reading and not overstimulating a child. I see this as the perfect bedtime story for any child in any situation. It’s a universal message presented in a perfect way!
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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Friday, February 6, 2026
Book Review: The Bloody Brick Road
by Maude Royer
My rating: 1 of 5 stars
DNF @ 42%
There is NOTHING about this book that is an Oz Retelling. If you didn’t have a lead gal who was named Dorothy I wouldn’t have EVER figured out it was meant to be somehow Oz related. There is no road, no journey, no goal. Instead there are awful humans, some bloody body horror killings, an asshole detective, and a leading gal that is so ‘woe is me’ without deserving it I just wanted to jump into the book and kill her myself.
Your MC can be flawed; but I wouldn’t recommend making them stupid and obnoxious. As a childless woman (from fertility issues; but I’m at peace with it) I’m insulted by the ongoing miscarriage narrative here that is attempting to pull on heart strings. If our MC truly wanted a baby then yes she would get therapy and do some of the things everyone is telling her. I have a friend who lost a toddler to an epic illness and while we miss her little one, and still mourn him, managed to continue improving her life and get therapy to help cope. Sorry but moping for years on end is not a solution; nor is it worthy of a pass for continuing to indulge in bad or dangerous behaviours.
I’m not sure if I was supposed to feel bad for our MC but, if I was, it missed the mark by a mile. Were I on a rainbow on this journey I’d have plummeted from yellow to indigo in the opening chapter and been dumped as far from the pot of gold as possible; because no one goes over the rainbow here instead they miss it entirely.
I am so disappointed as I really wanted a bloody Oz retelling. The fact that this was also Canadian and translated from Quebecois (French) had me sooo excited. I almost wonder if the translation is the problem (I could read the original text) but I just can’t see it being that vastly different as to help the cause. It would have to be a whole new book to have any chance.
The writing overall is okay. It’s not bad; but it’s not especially good either. I’d have tolerated the meh writing (especially because it is a translation) IF the story had delivered what it promised. Sadly it misses the mark so badly as a ‘retelling’ that it flew past Oz, Wonderland and Neverland; maybe landing somewhere maybe in the Upside Down of a Stephen King novel. A terrible attempt to profit off Baum’s beloved series whilst trying to balance on Wicked stilettos to sell some books. Ick!
The marketing department should be fired for this books blurb and subtitle. The publisher should be chastised for not ensuring this was better written. The author should stick to children’s books where she’s had success (and if any part of this is a memoir probably see a therapist, like asap because I’m seriously concerned if she think her MC deserves sympathy). Reality is that bad stuff happens; and you can wallow in pity or you can learn and move on. And it’s okay to mourn for a while; but after years of the same bad actions please don’t expect sympathy from anyone. Reality is that people need to pick-up and move past their issues. Every single character in this book is so extreme which makes no sense. I couldn’t see where the story was headed and after checking others (I trust) reviews I’m just out. I have (hopefully) way better horror books to read this year.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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My rating: 1 of 5 stars
DNF @ 42%
There is NOTHING about this book that is an Oz Retelling. If you didn’t have a lead gal who was named Dorothy I wouldn’t have EVER figured out it was meant to be somehow Oz related. There is no road, no journey, no goal. Instead there are awful humans, some bloody body horror killings, an asshole detective, and a leading gal that is so ‘woe is me’ without deserving it I just wanted to jump into the book and kill her myself.
Your MC can be flawed; but I wouldn’t recommend making them stupid and obnoxious. As a childless woman (from fertility issues; but I’m at peace with it) I’m insulted by the ongoing miscarriage narrative here that is attempting to pull on heart strings. If our MC truly wanted a baby then yes she would get therapy and do some of the things everyone is telling her. I have a friend who lost a toddler to an epic illness and while we miss her little one, and still mourn him, managed to continue improving her life and get therapy to help cope. Sorry but moping for years on end is not a solution; nor is it worthy of a pass for continuing to indulge in bad or dangerous behaviours.
I’m not sure if I was supposed to feel bad for our MC but, if I was, it missed the mark by a mile. Were I on a rainbow on this journey I’d have plummeted from yellow to indigo in the opening chapter and been dumped as far from the pot of gold as possible; because no one goes over the rainbow here instead they miss it entirely.
I am so disappointed as I really wanted a bloody Oz retelling. The fact that this was also Canadian and translated from Quebecois (French) had me sooo excited. I almost wonder if the translation is the problem (I could read the original text) but I just can’t see it being that vastly different as to help the cause. It would have to be a whole new book to have any chance.
The writing overall is okay. It’s not bad; but it’s not especially good either. I’d have tolerated the meh writing (especially because it is a translation) IF the story had delivered what it promised. Sadly it misses the mark so badly as a ‘retelling’ that it flew past Oz, Wonderland and Neverland; maybe landing somewhere maybe in the Upside Down of a Stephen King novel. A terrible attempt to profit off Baum’s beloved series whilst trying to balance on Wicked stilettos to sell some books. Ick!
The marketing department should be fired for this books blurb and subtitle. The publisher should be chastised for not ensuring this was better written. The author should stick to children’s books where she’s had success (and if any part of this is a memoir probably see a therapist, like asap because I’m seriously concerned if she think her MC deserves sympathy). Reality is that bad stuff happens; and you can wallow in pity or you can learn and move on. And it’s okay to mourn for a while; but after years of the same bad actions please don’t expect sympathy from anyone. Reality is that people need to pick-up and move past their issues. Every single character in this book is so extreme which makes no sense. I couldn’t see where the story was headed and after checking others (I trust) reviews I’m just out. I have (hopefully) way better horror books to read this year.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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Sunday, January 25, 2026
Book Review: This Princess Kills Monsters
by Ry Herman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I’m not sorry to see this one go. While I finished it, the ending hundred pages was a slog. I just didn’t think this was entertaining enough, funny enough, or even cute enough. It tries too hard and missed the mark for me. Our MC is fairly one dimensional, I still couldn’t tell you about anything she actually likes (just that she thinks her stepmother is evil and mean) and her constant inner monologue about how a situation could have been XYZ fairytale reference got very annoying. Like the author wanted to see how many fairy tales they could mention in one book. I bet 50+ pages could be cut if you just took out those mentions alone.
There is an attempted sweet romance here which started out okay but just didn’t do it for me in the end. Again nothing really interesting and sparks did not fly. I was hoping for a cute little break book like Legends and Lattes or How to Become the Dark Lord or Die Trying. Maybe my learning here is I like villains and their struggles more than princesses? (Not surprising)
Irregardless, I feel like I should have DNF’d this (darn challenge prompts it fed into got me continuing). So my three stars as probably a bit generous. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t good. I’m sure some will enjoy it for what it is. For me it was just a bit flat and didn’t quite hit the mark.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I’m not sorry to see this one go. While I finished it, the ending hundred pages was a slog. I just didn’t think this was entertaining enough, funny enough, or even cute enough. It tries too hard and missed the mark for me. Our MC is fairly one dimensional, I still couldn’t tell you about anything she actually likes (just that she thinks her stepmother is evil and mean) and her constant inner monologue about how a situation could have been XYZ fairytale reference got very annoying. Like the author wanted to see how many fairy tales they could mention in one book. I bet 50+ pages could be cut if you just took out those mentions alone.
There is an attempted sweet romance here which started out okay but just didn’t do it for me in the end. Again nothing really interesting and sparks did not fly. I was hoping for a cute little break book like Legends and Lattes or How to Become the Dark Lord or Die Trying. Maybe my learning here is I like villains and their struggles more than princesses? (Not surprising)
Irregardless, I feel like I should have DNF’d this (darn challenge prompts it fed into got me continuing). So my three stars as probably a bit generous. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t good. I’m sure some will enjoy it for what it is. For me it was just a bit flat and didn’t quite hit the mark.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Witchy Stitching
Witchy Stitching: 25 Patterns to Haunt Your Home
by
Meg Black
My rating:
5 of 5 stars
Meg has kicked it out of the park with this amazing
collection. There are large projects, bookmarks, mini
pieces, and average sized ones. Anyone with a witchy,
macabre vibe will love this!
A great bonus is
that not only do you get the patterns but there is a
wealth of information here to help a new, intermediate, or
even senior stitcher! With amazing diagrams, extra notes
and tidbits about supplies and other cross stitch nuances.
It even includes a glossary of acronyms and words used in
the stitching community (especially online)!
My personal favourite is the Ferris wheel (see photo)!
I’m going to stitch it up with the previously released
(available on her website) patterns that include a
carousel, ticket booth, patrons, and more!
This book is on beautiful glossy paper. The
layout is clean and crisp. Full colour large patterns.
While I’d prefer black and white charts I do understand
that many folks expect full colour in books like this.
A great starting reference, or addition to a
witches stash!
Bonus is that Meg is local to be, and
therefore Canadian!! :)
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Book review: Teenage Girls Can Be Demons
Teenage Girls Can Be Demons
by Hailey Piper
13 story anthology
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Thirteen stories, a natural choice for a horror anthology. Each story features teenagers in some way. Most feature teenage girls fighting back for dignity, respect, bodily autonomy, and (in the case of our final story which is almost half the page count) their own survival against Benny Rose the Cannibal King. I don’t do cannibals usually, they are one of my nope out points usually. And I almost didn’t make it on this final story; but I wanted to know how it ended and I’m glad I made it there.
Each of these stories is worth a read. Some I liked more than others, a few were more polished (those previously published in other anthologies had a slightly different narrative voice perhaps because of editors or based on time of writing. Hailey Piper does what she does best here and creates mood, atmosphere, chills, and thrills that keep the pages turning.
I’m hoping to convince my husband to read the last story of Benny Rose as it is very well done. I could see it being a horror movie (albeit one that might be too much for me); but one that many would love to cheer on our teens and be horrified along with them as the backstory and realities come to the surface and are undone.
I myself was a menace and awful teen girl. I have often wondered if I had more supports or actual loyal friends if I could have weathered those rough years better. In the end though I’m glad for each moment as I wouldn’t be where I am, or who I am today, without each pain staking teenage event playing out exactly as it did. I do agree with Piper on one more important thing: teenage girls are demons. Whether to one another, themselves, or other monsters they are not humans to be take lightly and we should try to offer them more supports as their bodies bleed and weep for the first of many times to come.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Thirteen stories, a natural choice for a horror anthology. Each story features teenagers in some way. Most feature teenage girls fighting back for dignity, respect, bodily autonomy, and (in the case of our final story which is almost half the page count) their own survival against Benny Rose the Cannibal King. I don’t do cannibals usually, they are one of my nope out points usually. And I almost didn’t make it on this final story; but I wanted to know how it ended and I’m glad I made it there.
Each of these stories is worth a read. Some I liked more than others, a few were more polished (those previously published in other anthologies had a slightly different narrative voice perhaps because of editors or based on time of writing. Hailey Piper does what she does best here and creates mood, atmosphere, chills, and thrills that keep the pages turning.
I’m hoping to convince my husband to read the last story of Benny Rose as it is very well done. I could see it being a horror movie (albeit one that might be too much for me); but one that many would love to cheer on our teens and be horrified along with them as the backstory and realities come to the surface and are undone.
I myself was a menace and awful teen girl. I have often wondered if I had more supports or actual loyal friends if I could have weathered those rough years better. In the end though I’m glad for each moment as I wouldn’t be where I am, or who I am today, without each pain staking teenage event playing out exactly as it did. I do agree with Piper on one more important thing: teenage girls are demons. Whether to one another, themselves, or other monsters they are not humans to be take lightly and we should try to offer them more supports as their bodies bleed and weep for the first of many times to come.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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Book Review: Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear
Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear
Book 10 of Wayward Children series
by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
For my final read of 2025 this little novella was a real treat. I always love visiting the lands of Wayward with McGuire and this tenth instalment is no less a joy than most. While perhaps not the best of the series, it’s certainly a strong story and learning the background of one of our original members of the school is a real treat!
While many of these stories can be read out of order; I would recommend reading book 1 prior to this one, if only so you have some reference for the main character we follow. She’s a unique little girl, as are all the children, and understanding how long she lived in her special water world is important to the overall arc that her characters undergoes each time she surfaces in the series. As no one character is in each book you can skip around a lot, if desired, but I do think learning her story later on does add to some of the excitement and appeal of learning this water sunken story now.
I hope McGuire has lots more instalments planned for our Wayward Children and the doors to their unique worlds. I can’t help but hope we return to Confection at some point. This watery world I could do without revisiting (as I have some intense hydrophobia, lol) but I’ll read any and all of these stories every time because they never disappoint and are great bookends or breaks to longer, more epic reading stints.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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My rating: 4 of 5 stars
For my final read of 2025 this little novella was a real treat. I always love visiting the lands of Wayward with McGuire and this tenth instalment is no less a joy than most. While perhaps not the best of the series, it’s certainly a strong story and learning the background of one of our original members of the school is a real treat!
While many of these stories can be read out of order; I would recommend reading book 1 prior to this one, if only so you have some reference for the main character we follow. She’s a unique little girl, as are all the children, and understanding how long she lived in her special water world is important to the overall arc that her characters undergoes each time she surfaces in the series. As no one character is in each book you can skip around a lot, if desired, but I do think learning her story later on does add to some of the excitement and appeal of learning this water sunken story now.
I hope McGuire has lots more instalments planned for our Wayward Children and the doors to their unique worlds. I can’t help but hope we return to Confection at some point. This watery world I could do without revisiting (as I have some intense hydrophobia, lol) but I’ll read any and all of these stories every time because they never disappoint and are great bookends or breaks to longer, more epic reading stints.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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Book Review: To Clutch A Razor
To Clutch a Razor
Book 2 of Curse Bearer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Veronica Roth is being robbed. We should talking about her so much more because this series is spectacular! Instead people prejudge her because of Divergent (which was pretty good, but teen at the end of the day) and thus she flies under the radar even with brilliant grimdark fantasy novellas like this. The bone swords are sooo cool, and the ideas Roth has woven into these short stories are incredible.
Whats most unexpected for a rough, dark, bloody story like this is how much I love the ending, it’s absolutely adorable! So know that while you are crying, raging, and terrified throughout there is a tiny moment of light in it all. I make no promises 90% of things don’t go poorly, because they pretty much do. But Roth reminds us that even in sorrow, trauma, and death there can still be something to find that keeps us going.
Anyone who loves Anthony Ryan, Mark Lawrence, or even Brandon Sanderson should read this series! Start with book 1 (of course). I do hope we will see more in this unique world of bone swords, allegiances with blood sacrifices, and devotion unlike any other.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Veronica Roth is being robbed. We should talking about her so much more because this series is spectacular! Instead people prejudge her because of Divergent (which was pretty good, but teen at the end of the day) and thus she flies under the radar even with brilliant grimdark fantasy novellas like this. The bone swords are sooo cool, and the ideas Roth has woven into these short stories are incredible.
Whats most unexpected for a rough, dark, bloody story like this is how much I love the ending, it’s absolutely adorable! So know that while you are crying, raging, and terrified throughout there is a tiny moment of light in it all. I make no promises 90% of things don’t go poorly, because they pretty much do. But Roth reminds us that even in sorrow, trauma, and death there can still be something to find that keeps us going.
Anyone who loves Anthony Ryan, Mark Lawrence, or even Brandon Sanderson should read this series! Start with book 1 (of course). I do hope we will see more in this unique world of bone swords, allegiances with blood sacrifices, and devotion unlike any other.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
Follow me on Goodreads!
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